Marathon Weekly 23-0323

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Se habla español THE MARATHON WEEKLY (ISSN 1944-0812) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY FOR $125 PER YEAR BY WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS, INC., 9709 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, MARATHON FL 33050. APPLICATION TO MAIL AT PERIODICALS POSTAGE RATES IS PENDING AT FORT LAUDERDALE FL AND ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.

All stories, photos, and graphics are copyrighted materials.

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News Deadline Tuesday Noon

Advertising Deadline Tuesday 2 p.m.

The mass of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt –also known as the “blob” making its way towards Florida – is currently estimated at 13 million tons. This number may not be accurate for long, though, as the belt is capable of doubling in size in less than a month. See below.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE SARGASSUM ‘BLOB?’

DEFINING THE DETAILS AS THE MACROALGAE BELT APPROACHES THE KEYS

Massive offshore weedlines are the stuff of Keys bluewater anglers’ dreams. But though it’s too early to say for sure, the latest mass approaching the island chain is one they might wish went elsewhere.

By now, most have heard about the massive “blob” of sargassum – an umbrella term for hundreds of species of brown algae – approaching the Keys. Stretching nearly all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, with an estimated current mass of 13 million tons, it may undoubtedly prove problematic for the Keys in the coming months, as it has done most notably in the summers of 2018 and 2022.

But regardless of the picture

painted by other reports, according to those who study the macroalgae, it doesn’t mean that thousands of miles of weeds are about to wash up on Keys beaches all at once. And it’s still too early to predict the final picture for the island chain when all is said and done.

This week, Keys Weekly was fortunate to sit down with renowned Florida Atlantic University researcher Brian Lapointe and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary research coordinator Andy Bruckner to better understand what’s driving the algae, and what the Keys can expect from here.

What is “the blob?”

First things first: This isn’t a onetime traveling mass that appeared out of nowhere, and it’s entirely separate from red tide, although the two can cause similar effects.

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is the world’s largest recurring macroalgae bloom, often extending from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico across the southern edge of the Sargasso Sea. With air bladders that help it stay afloat and a rough, intertwining shape that helps keep large patches together, the massive floating habitat is a hotspot for biodiversity. In addition to providing vital food and protection for fish, mammals, marine birds, turtles, crabs and more, it serves as a nursery for mahi mahi and jack species.

The belt’s annual bloom usually begins in the winter and spring months, typically peaking in early to mid summer. Its distribution throughout the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea is largely driven by currents and ocean circulation.

“The ‘blob’ moves into the Caribbean … and some of that is carried up into the Gulf, and some of it is carried by the Gulf Stream around past the Tortugas along the Florida Keys up to Miami,” Bruckner said.

What’s the issue?

While the floating version of sargassum provides a critical offshore habitat, piles of the algae on beaches and in nearshore waters can prove problematic.

“Dead zones” can replace vital nurseries as large quantities of sargassum create anoxic conditions that threaten marine life. In shallow water, degrading algae masses can kill plants and animals on the seafloor, while hydrogen sulfide gas released by the decomposing organism is a toxic eye and respiratory irritant. As if that wasn’t enough, it smells like rotten eggs, an unwelcome scent for the throngs of tourists who frequent Florida’s beaches each year.

“The biggest thing is that if there is a lot of this material that comes into the shoreline, there should be recommendations that people aren’t swimming in that water,” said Bruckner. Unfortunately, disposing of the piles of smelly sargassum when it

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Stars of the Florida Keys Lilly Price, left, Jasmine Price and Lilly Hutchinson show off one of three cheer routines to thunderous applause during halftime at Marathon High School’s powderpuff football game last week. See page 24.

TRACY McDONALD/ Keys Weekly

Sargassum density maps generated from satellite data show the progression of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt’s bloom over the last five years in the Caribbean Sea.

USF OPTICAL OCEANOGRAPHY LAB/Con

A locals favorite, Bongos is an oasis of tropical fruit trees and herb gardens. Offering over 20 craft beers on tap, signature craft cocktails, and delicious light and local fare highlighting many of our “Grassy Grown” organic fruits, herbs, and fresh local Keez Beez honey.

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Please call 305.414.8245 for inquiries and bookings or visit RideTheLagoon.com for more info!

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS

DO YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS DEPENDABLE, PASSIONATE AND EXEMPLIFIES GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE? NOMINATE THEM FOR A ROSE AWARD TODAY!

APRIL 20, 2023 at Hawks Cay Resort

ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards recognize Monroe County front line hospitality employees who demonstrate excellent customer service.

These industry champions showcase the region’s commitment to creating an extraordinary visitor experience.

Any business in the hospitality and tourism industry is invited to submit nominations (you do not have to be a member of FRLA to nominate)

Nominees can also include tour drivers, attractions, welcome center, boat tour, etc.

NOMINATION DEADLINE

APRIL 6, 2023

TO VIEW THE CATEGORIES, SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION AND LEARN ABOUT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES PLEASE VISIT

FRLA.org/monroe-rose-awards

For more information, contact Lynne Hernandez at LHernandez@FRLA.org

•

SOLAR SOLUTIONS

Marathon City Council workshop to focus on new co-op

from page 4

washes ashore isn’t as simple as scooping it all up and using it for fertilizer.

With such a high arsenic content, the macroalgae can’t safely supplement any plant intended for human consumption.

How did we get here?

Lapointe has studied sargassum since the 1980s, but he said that as he analyzed tissue from algae in the belt in more recent years, one nutrient in particular stood out.

“I was analyzing data from the 1980s that I collected. … In comparing those numbers with post-2010 data, that’s where we see nitrogen levels going up 35%, and the nitrogen:phospate ratio went up by 111%. That was my eureka moment,” he told the Weekly. “This sargassum looks like it’s being fed by the major rivers like the Amazon, the Orinoco, the Congo and the Mississippi.

Marathon residents can join the Marathon City Council workshop on Tuesday, March 28 to learn more about the logistics and cost savings of going solar.

CONTRIBUTED

Tired of rising electric bills? Join the Marathon City Council and Solar United Neighbors (SUN) for Florida Solar 101 at the Marathon City Hall on Tuesday, March 28 at 4:30 p.m. The solar experts at SUN will walk residents through solar technology, economics, incentives and how the co-op works. Participants can register in advance at SolarUnitedNeighbors.org/Keys/ Events; however, registration is not a requirement to attend.

The solar co-op will help area homeowners and small business owners learn about solar together and purchase solar panels at a group rate from a single installer. It’s a great time to go solar by joining the free Florida Keys 2023 Solar Co-op. The Keys co-op is sponsored by the city of Marathon, city of Key West, city of Layton, League of Women Voters of the Lower Keys and IFAS Monroe County.

More information is at solarunitedneighbors.org/keys.

— Contributed

“It just so happens that the nitrogen and phosphorus contents are highest in the winter and spring, just when the rivers are discharging the most. … By summertime, those river discharges are actually going down, and that’s when the growth slows down as tissues become depleted of nitrogen and phosphorus.”

Over the past 12 years, a formerly limiting nutrient to the growth and biomass of the belt ceased to be a handcuff, as human population growth fueled high reactive nitrogen levels with wastewater, fertilizers, deforestation and other contributors, Lapointe said. The belt is capable of doubling its size in anywhere from two to four weeks under ideal conditions, and with the algae continuing to exhaust the amount of available phosphorus, another critical nutrient, it turns to a chemical analog: arsenate, a salt of arsenic acid.

Adding further fuel to the fire are rising sea temperatures.

“The winter temperatures are anywhere between two to six degrees higher than what we’d typically see at this time of year,” said Bruckner. “We’ve now shifted to an El Niño event … (and) because it’s already warmer than it should be this year, that could help fuel the growth.”

Where are we now?

Researchers began actively tracking the size of the belt with multiple methods, including satellite imagery, during the first bloom in 2011. Since then, the 2018 bloom has been the recordsetting standard, with 2022 as another severe event.

Thus far in 2023, the blob had an early start to its annual growth. But the final impact is yet to be seen. A sargassum outlook summary published by the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab noted that “although the overall sargassum quantity in the central Atlantic Ocean decreased from January to February … this abundance (6.1 million tons) is still the second-highest amount recorded for the month of February. … (And) within the Caribbean Sea, sargassum quantity nearly doubled.

“The decrease in sargassum quantity from January to February is uncommon, and presents a glimmer of hope that the overall 2023 bloom may not be as large as previously feared,

While it serves many important ecological purposes, excessive quantities of the brown macroalgae known as sargassum can pose ecological and human health risks. KEYS WEEKLY FILE PHOTO

although 2023 will still be a major sargassum year,” the outlook concludes.

Though beaches throughout South Florida are already starting to see sargassum arriving as March gives way to April, Bruckner said it’s too early to define the severity of this year’s event.

“One of the fears, I think, is that it’s a little earlier than normal,” he said. “And, you know, there is the potential for it to get much, much worse than it is, but it’s sort of hard to predict that.”

Where do we go from here?

With sargassum research a growing priority over the last decade, further work using satellites to track fine-scale current data should prove crucial in accurately predicting movements of algae within the belt.

Physical barriers and collection apparatuses are important pieces of the puzzle to combat large accumulations of the algae on shore, but with the belt affecting so many diverse areas, there’s no single defense method that’s perfect for all.

One possible solution may rest with SOS Carbon, a spinoff organization from the mechanical engineering department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that engineers solutions for sargassum collection and disposal. A net-based Littoral Collection Module developed by the organization can continuously collect the algae, while a second Sargassum Ocean Sequestration of Carbon process periodically sinks large collections of sargassum to depths that collapse its air bladders, preventing it from resurfacing and continuing to absorb buoyant nutrient plumes from rivers. As Lapointe noted, such a process would also chip away at environmental carbon dioxide levels by sending CO2 absorbed by the macroalgae to the ocean floor for years.

For a health briefing on sargassum produced by the Florida Department of Health, visit https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmentalhealth/beach-water-quality/_documents/sargassum-factsheet-appr-final.pdf.

To visit USF’s live sargassum watch system, including an interactive map, visit https://optics. marine.usf.edu/projects/saws.html.

‘COUPON FOR MILLIONAIRES’

FLORIDA WITHDRAWS FROM MULTI-STATE VOTER DATABASE

MOVE SURPRISES AND DISAPPOINTS

MANY LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS

ELEMENT5 DIGITAL/UnSplash

REPUBLICAN BILL OPENS SCHOLARSHIP

ELIGIBILITY

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

TO ALL K-12

STUDENTS

Legislation that would open scholarship eligibility to more Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grade passed through the Republican-controlled House on day 11 of a 60-day session.

Currently, a student in a household of four making no more than $111,000, or 400% percent of the federal poverty line, is eligible for the Florida Tax Credit (FTC) Scholarship or the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program (FES). THE FTC provides scholarships to students with priority given to children of low-income families and those who are in foster care.

The FES program provides students with financial resources if they’re children of law enforcement or a military member, as well as children with disabilities. One part of the program assists students to pay for tuition and fees to attend a private school or transportation to a public school. The other part covers certain costs associated with disabled students, including instructional materials, tutoring and specialized services, to name a few.

Under Republican Rep. Kaylee Tuck’s House Bill 1, financial resources associated with those programs would expand beyond low- and middleincome families to any Florida K-12 student. A similar bill in the Senate, SB 202, is sponsored by Republican state Sen. Corey Simon.

Republican supporters touted the bill, which passed in the House via an 83-27 vote on March 17. It expands school choice to 2.9 million school-aged children, regardless of background, all while prioritizing lowincome families followed by middleincome families. Per the bill, students could receive an average of $8,000 from the state for school expenses.

“The goal is to deliver education in a much different way than the onesize-fits-all model that we all knew

growing up,” Speaker Paul Renner said following passage in the House. “The Florida model factors in the unique learning needs of every child to deliver education by empowering parents and students to choose the best way to achieve their educational goals, regardless of ZIP code, race or income.”

Many Democrats opposing the bill expressed concern that it would destroy the public school system and give wealthier families that already can afford sending their child to a private school a voucher. There were also issues with the projected cost associated with the scholarship expansion. According to a House analysis, scholarship funding would total $209.6 million. A Senate analysis of the expansion shows costs at $646.5 million.

“The truth is we don’t know how much that cost will be,” said Democratic Rep. Daryl Campbell, of Jacksonville. “Researchers are saying this will cost $2.1 billion. This money can be used to make the worst public schools in the state the best in the country.”

Democratic state Rep. Robin Bartleman, of Broward County, called the proposal a “coupon for millionaires” on the House floor before a vote. The Florida Education Association, composed of unions representing educators and school professionals, called on the public to oppose House Bill 1 and a Senate Bill 202, saying they “rip money away from public schools and give that money to unaccountable, private and religious schools vouchers.”

“All of Florida’s children should be able to get the education they deserve and need at fully funded and staffed public schools. This bill is going to make life tougher for a lot of kids. It will mean fewer resources in their schools, and fewer teachers and staff to meet their day-to-day needs,” said Andrew Spar, Florida Education Association president.

With approval of House Bill 1, Senate Bill 202 was set for a vote on March 22.

Florida’s March 6 withdrawal from a nonprofit, multi-state database created to ensure accurate voter rolls and avoid duplicate voting shocked and disappointed many local election officials, including Monroe County Supervisor of Elections Joyce Griffin.

“I was stunned. We were all stunned,” Griffin told the Keys Weekly on March 21. “All the supervisors in Florida had fought for our state to join ERIC (Electronic Registration Information Center). But we didn’t know Florida was withdrawing until 15 minutes before it was announced. I don’t know why the governor and Florida secretary of state Cord Byrd did this. I’m really sorry that it happened, but I have to accept what I can’t change.”

Byrd announced Florida’s withdrawal from ERIC in a March 6 press release that alluded to partisan leadership on the board of the nonprofit and questions about data security.

“Today’s announcement follows efforts led by Florida over the past year to reform ERIC through attempts to secure data and eliminate ERIC’s partisan tendencies, all of which were rejected,” Byrd’s press release states. “Withdrawing from ERIC will ensure the data privacy of Florida voters is protected. Florida is joined in withdrawing from ERIC Membership today by the states of Missouri and West Virginia.

“As secretary of state, I have an obligation to protect the personal information of Florida’s citizens, which the ERIC agreement requires us to share. Florida has tried to back reforms to increase protections, but these protections were refused. Therefore, we have lost confidence in ERIC.”

But those statements from Byrd came just weeks after he had praised ERIC for helping Florida identify voters who had voted in more than one state, according to a March 6 article in Politico.

“Byrd told members of a legislative panel that the information was used in the arrest of a woman last November who had allegedly voted in both Alaska and Florida,” Politico’s Zach Montellaro and Gary Fineout write.

“‘We do derive valid information from ERIC in order to do list maintenance,’ Byrd told legislators.

“DeSantis himself pushed for Florida to join the group in 2019 after former Gov. Rick Scott had blocked it. The likely presidential contender has made ‘election integrity’ a talking point in his speeches and pushed to create a special unit to investigate election related crimes, including voter fraud. DeSantis even praised ERIC in passing during a press conference last summer as an important tool in that toolbox,” the Politico article continues.

Yet the multi-state partnership is now without one of its leading partners in Florida, which has one of the highest populations of seasonal residents.

L.M.C. HEADS TO D.C.

Leadership delegation to visit nation’s capital on advocacy mission

CONCERT, HISTORY AND DRONE SHOW LAUNCH KEYS’ BICENTENNIAL

EVENTS TAKE PLACE IN KEY WEST ON MARCH 25

Florida Keys visitors and residents can celebrate the bicentennial of the subtropical island chain throughout 2023, starting with the “200 Years of Paradise Kick-off Concert” that includes a drone fireworks show on Saturday, March 25, in Key West.

The concert and other activities salute the 200th anniversary of the Florida legislature’s founding of Monroe County, which contains the entire Florida Keys, on July 3, 1823. From Key Largo to Key West, events in the coming months are to recognize the historic anniversary and recall the Keys’ two centuries of rich and vibrant history.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m. on March 25 at Key West’s Coffee Butler Amphitheater in Truman Waterfront Park with a program combining live music, Keys history presentations and drone “fireworks.” Gates open at 5 p.m. and admission is free.

Popular local musician Nick Norman will open the celebration, followed by a welcome and commentary by local leaders. At 7:15 p.m., regional trop-rock musician Howard Livingston will take the stage to perform his signature Keys-inspired tunes. Livingston’s sets will alternate with segments of South Florida PBS’ documentary, “The Florida Keys: 200 Years of Paradise,” that chronicles the dramatic history of the island chain.

A drone “fireworks” display will cap the evening’s attractions. Plans call for 250 drones to illuminate the sky over Truman Waterfront Park

with imagery highlighting the Keys and their bicentennial.

“The Florida Keys that our visitors and residents experience today are built on our unique and intriguing history, and that’s what we’re celebrating with the kick-off event and throughout our bicentennial year,” said Craig Cates, mayor of Monroe County and a fifth-generation Keys resident. “We invite everyone who loves the Keys to join us in commemorating this milestone.”

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Subsequent 200th anniversary celebrations include Naval Air Station Key West’s Southernmost Air Spectacular, an April 15-16 weekend air show starring the famed Blue Angels and honoring two centuries of the U.S. Navy’s presence in Key West; a sea-to-table dinner set for Saturday, June 10, in Islamorada highlighting the island chain’s local chefs, fishing captains, artists and coral restoration initiatives; and Bicentennial Day festivities and fireworks Monday, July 3, in the Lower Keys, featuring the creation of the world’s largest Key lime pie. In addition, museum exhibits around the Keys, annual festivals and the Florida Keys Council of the Arts’ 300-canvas “Connections Project” mosaic mural are themed to celebrate the historic bicentennial and the Keys’ multifaceted heritage. More information is at fla-keys. com/keys200.

— Contributed

Pressing issues facing the Florida Keys community and natural environment will have another spotlight on the national stage as Leadership Monroe County (LMC)’s Class XXX – “Leaders Gone Wild” – prepares to visit the nation’s capital on an advocacy and education mission during sessions of the U.S. House and Senate next week.

The 10-member delegation has thus far secured meetings with U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio; U.S. Representatives Carlos Gimenez, John H. Rutherford, Jared Moskowitz and Mario DiazBalart; and staff from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Capitol Police.

Tours of the capitol building and Library of Congress, along with an invitation to join Florida’s delegation at the Florida House on Capitol Hill, will complete the three-day journey.

Inspired by the wildly successful annual Florida Keys Day in Tallahassee – the brainchild of LMC Class XVII – Class XXX chose to establish the education and advocacy trip as its project, an annual requirement for each graduating class in Leadership Monroe County. Topics on the agenda for various meetings include sea level rise, Everglades restoration, coral reef protection, affordable housing mechanisms, insurance and disaster relief concerns, and infrastructure hardening and replacement initiatives.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the response we’ve received so far from legislators and critical agencies,” said Monroe County Project Management Director and LMC class member Cary Knight. “Grassroots advocacy with trips such as these allows our representatives to examine these critical issues through a different lens as they have honest, thoughtful discussions with Keys community leaders.”

“We’re very excited and supportive of this endeavor,” said Chuck Licis-Masson, LMC board president. “Taking Florida Keys Day to Washington D.C. will allow this class to make vital connections with the lawmakers who have such a crucial impact on our community.”

“Class XXX has it all by going forward with their bold class project,” added program coordinator Michael Shields.

Established in 1992, Leadership Monroe County is an educational nonprofit community leadership organization developed to address the rapidly changing needs and concerns of the county, develop a group of well-educated leaders, help guide the community in a positive direction and foster county-wide effective and nonpartisan alliances. Through a series of single or multi-day sessions over seven months, participants examine the fundamental public and private segments throughout the county. These unique experiences help participants grow as Monroe County residents and leaders as well as provide invaluable connections among other leaders across the county.

A full-frame fisheye lens provides a unique view of the Florida Keys’ Overseas Highway, the Atlantic Ocean, left, and the Gulf of Mexico, right, near Big Pine Key. ANDY NEWMAN/Florida Keys News Bureau

Rickert is a member of LMC Class XXX.

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com

Leadership Monroe County Class XXX presents Museum of the Everglades manager Thomas Lockyear, front and center, with a donation to support the museum’s historic preservation efforts at a class session in November. A 10-member delegation from the class will visit Washington, D.C. on an advocacy trip next week. CONTRIBUTED

(SHAM) ROCKING THE STREETS

Key Colony’s St. Patrick’s Day parade enjoys big turnout

East and West Ocean Drive in Key Colony Beach filled on both sides for the return of the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17. A procession that began with a Navy color guard, emergency response vehicles and all five Key Colony commissioners gave way to dozens of vehicles, bikes, golf carts and walkers as the city celebrated everyone’s favorite Irish holiday. Filling the shoes of longtime parade organizer Jack Crowley, Key Colony Beach Community Association parade chairman Larry Smoot delivered a memorable and successful iteration of the Middle Keys’ largest St. Paddy’s celebration.

— Alex Rickert

1. The parade may have ended, but the libations continued for the crew of ‘Fritzy’s Float.’

2. From golf carts to shuttles, bikes and strollers – if they had a way to move, they had a place in the parade.

3. The Guddemi family dropped the top to rock their convertible float, with some participants making the trip all the way from Austin, Texas.

4. Best Bet Sportfishing brought the whole gang as the charter company loaded up its 24-foot Skeeter center console.

5. The Keys’ favorite local media company couldn’t pass up the chance to be part of the festivities. From left: Michelle Macoskey, Keys Weekly editor Alex Rickert, Matt Enke, Blake Donahue, Deb Demeo, Phil Demeo.

Photos by ALEX RICKERT/Keys Weekly

No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to spotlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue. This week’s neighbor always has the hook-up for Taco Tuesdays as he crafts the Mexican flavors behind Takeria La Palapa. Before his foray into the food truck world, Raul Ornelas spent 15 years in the Marathon community with stints at Sparky’s Landing, Publix and Angler & Ale. But with his wife Maria Teresa and kids Martin (8) and Leonel (6) at home, Ornelas knew he needed a change.

“I would work in the morning until 3 p.m. at Publix, and then 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Sparky’s,” he told the Weekly. “My wife told me, ‘You’re always working for somebody else. When are you going to have time for us?’”

With encouragement and an opportunity from Paradise Flavors owner Cesar Sandoval, Ornelas opened La Palapa in 2021 and never looked back.

Spotlighting the amazing individuals who live and work in the Middle Keys

RAUL ORNELAS Owner, Takeria La Palapa

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? That I’m here! We don’t have a ton of signs.

The title of my autobiography would be? We’d have to start with my nickname, Red Bull, because I’m just a crazy guy.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Buy a house and a bigger truck so we could have more employees and a bigger menu. There are a lot of people who need work.

What song do you play when you want to get hyped up? “Leve” by Cartel de Santa, a Mexican hip-hop song.

If there was one chore you could have taken away from you forever, what would it be? Cleaning my flat top. Everything I do, that’s the only thing I hate.

What’s one thing that’s on the menu, but you never want to try? Raw seafood. I like seafood, but not raw.

What’s the best piece of advice someone ever gave you? When my cousin passed away, my other cousin was a pastor in the church. He said, “Don’t be sad. God only takes the good people.”

What is the best and worst part of the Keys? The best part of the Keys for me is Curry Hammock with my family. The part I hate is the stupid drivers. I hate driving in the first place, and I really hate when other people drive like that.

If you could have lunch or dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? With my kids and my wife.

Finish this sentence: My wife would say I am… A good person, but so crazy. And that I’m so lazy doing housework.

CAPTAIN JOEL’S FISHIN’ HOLES

Known for their strength and spectacular fights, tarpon have started to bite around Keys bridges and in the backcountry. CONTRIBUTED

It’s Tarpon Time!

Spring has sprung, and the tarpon are showing up at the bridges. At the Seven Mile Bridge the tarpon are feeding on large pilchards and finger mullet. We like to put out one long line, about 75 yards, and one short line, about 30 yards, while anchored up with our lines going under the bridge and out to the open water.

We like to use a large, spinning rod and reel outfitted with 30-pound test mono and 60-pound test mono fluorocarbon leader with a 7.0 circle hook. We like to have an anchor ball tied to the end of our anchor line so when the tarpon strikes we can throw the ball, chase the tarpon and come back to our anchor line.

Tarpon are starting to show up at the Bahia Honda Bridge as well. The bait of choice at the Bahia Honda Bridge is typically pass crabs, but these haven’t shown up yet. During certain times of the year when palolo worms hatch, tarpon spend a few days going wild on them, with the best worm bite at Bahia Honda. Local bait shops have palolo worm lures and flies that work well during the hatch.

At Long Key Bridge we like to use live mullet for tarpon. However, Long Key Bridge is a controversial spot regarding bait. Many anglers have been targeting tarpon with dead cut bait and carcasses, which some captains and anglers say have made the tarpon “lazy.” Since they’ve been fed a lot of dead bait and chum, they won’t aggressively chase live bait like they have in the past. Many captains and avid tarpon anglers are discouraging others from using dead bait and chum carcasses to catch tarpon at Long Key Bridge so that anglers can return to the excitement of a tarpon pounding a live mullet on the surface.

Other than the bridges, we target smaller juvenile tarpon in the flats and backcountry. They love to eat pass crabs and live jumbo shrimp under a bobber.

Although tarpon is a terrible fish to eat, and is typically not table fare, you can still get a permit to harvest a tarpon. In the past, there were tarpon tournaments where the biggest fish would be weighed and killed, but nowadays, tarpon tournaments are all live-release tournaments. There’s no real need to ever kill a tarpon.

…is a fifth-generation Floridian and second-generation fishing captain who owns and operates Ana Banana Fishing Company in Marathon. His passions include fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.

Also, in the past, if you wanted to mount a trophy tarpon, you would have to bring the actual tarpon to the taxidermist. Today there's no need to bring the actual fish, as mounts are made with artificial molds and artwork.

Florida law states that any tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water, even during hook removal and release. Any tarpon 40 inches or under may be temporarily handled and boated for photos and research purposes only, and must be released immediately.

To book a charter with Ana Banana, call or text Capt. Joel at 813-267-4401 or Capt. Jojo at 305879-0564, or visit anabananafishing.com.

CAPT. JOEL BRANDENBURG

“ PLAY BALL” POOL & BEACH PARTY

651ST SUNDAY FUNDAY MARCH 26,

One of the central tenets of my wife’s and my marriage is: we don’t tell each other what to do. It’s not a rule so much as a guideline, one we both make an effort not to stray too far beyond. We’re both long-time fans of hard-won personal autonomy.

There’s been a big asterisk on that tenet in recent weeks, though, one perpetrated by my wife that could almost be considered borderline nagging.

It has mostly manifested itself in her repeated use of a single sentence: “Why don’t you write something about Flaco?” I’m not sure if I punctuated her phrase correctly. Do you use a question mark at the end of a sentence that is not so much a question as a directive?

Flaco, for those unaware, is an owl, specifically a Eurasian eagle-owl, who escaped from the Central Park Zoo in Manhattan on Feb. 2 after vandals cut open the wire mesh on his cage. He’s spent the last month and a half hanging around what is arguably the most famous public space in the world. Flaco was captive bred, and at first it was worried that he would starve to death because he wouldn’t know how to hunt and feed himself, and having spent most of his life in a cage that has been described as about the size of a bus stop shelter, he was not the best flier. But his flying skills have apparently greatly improved, and he seems to be thriving on a steady diet of readily available, and easily catchable, rats. And he’s become something of a celebrity. In certain New York social circles, catching sight of Flaco has more cachet than seeing J-Lo and Ben out on a tear, or overhearing Fran Lebowitz complain about the quality of the bagels or how you can’t get proper jelly beans since Schrafft’s went out of business or whatever.

Flaco also has a serious media profile, having been the subject of stories in venerable media outlets such as the New York Times, CNN, CBS, ABC, NPR, the New York Post, the New Yorker and National Geographic.

Eurasian eagle-owls are one of the biggest owl species in the world, with the Latin name Bubo bubo, with “bubo” meaning owl, arguably making them the owliest of owls. It helps that Flaco is drop-dead gorgeous, a big owl with a 6-foot wingspan, long ear tufts, and an earthy plumage that ranges from dark taupe to fawn to mocha to tiger orange.

The term for such a creature in the ecoworld is charismatic megafauna. People just love them.

This time of year, with all the bare-limbed trees in the park, he’s been pretty easy to spot.

OF OWLS AND MARRIAGE

Birders, and people interested in celebrity owls, have been tracking him around the park. One of the easiest ways to spot him is to wander around Central Park looking for a small group of people with binoculars and cameras all staring at the same thing. There have been some great photos produced – Flaco with skyscrapers in the background, Flaco sitting on the arms of backhoes, Flaco getting harassed by squirrels, Flaco standing next to a trap, declining to take the bait.

Trying to get a good look at an owl can bring out the ruthlessness in some people, especially photographers. Several websites and Facebook pages will no longer post “paparazzilike” photos of owls for fear of the disruptive, unethical and sometimes outright dangerous (for the owl) techniques some photographers will use to get a good shot.

Eurasian eagle-owls tend to breed and live in remote places that are only sparsely settled – narrow gorges, high cliffs, swampy forests, uninhabited grasslands and the occasional bit of rocky farmland. Flaco has seen, and been surrounded by, far more humans than any member of his species is supposed to – even if you don’t count his 13 years on display in the zoo.

Interestingly, the crowds that have followed Flaco around seem to have been respectful.

You have not seen a lot of stories about boorish behavior, about people crowding too close and disturbing the bird, or about people chasing it aggressively around the park. My guess is because there are so many people keeping tabs on Flaco, and so many people emotionally invested in his wellbeing, that anyone who might bother the owl will get called out before they have a chance to create much of an effect.

A lot of people are viewing Flaco’s escape, as well as his post-escape exploits, as something of a metaphor. Michiko Kakutani, the

famously fierce book critic for the New York Times, wrote, “Many New Yorkers, especially those confined to small apartments during COVID, identified with Flaco’s story,” adding, “Flaco gave a weary city still trying to come back from the pandemic a heartening sense of resilience.” (Kakutani seems to have a thing for Manhattanite owls, as this was the third story about a Central Park owl that she’s come out of retirement to write.)

I’m always wary of seeing birds as metaphors for our lives. Birds have a tough enough existence without us saddling them with our emotional baggage. And their actual lives are generally far more interesting than whatever symbolism we project upon them.

The fact that Flaco seems to be thriving is great, but the road ahead has many risks for a bird so far from its natural habitat. The biggest, in a city famous for its rodents, is most likely rat poison, which tends to travel up the food chain and accumulate at the top.

Even when it doesn’t outright kill an alpha predator like an owl, it will often impair them and make them vulnerable to other risks.

There is also the omnipresent danger of cars. The previous most famous Central Park owl – a barred owl nicknamed Barry – was killed in 2021 when it collided with a moving Central Park Conservancy maintenance vehicle. (Kakutani’s story about this owl was sweet, but contained a level of sentimentality for which she would have excoriated any first-time novelist. Which shows how owls can soften even the seemingly hardest of hearts.)

I’m not sure how it’ll go for Flaco. I wish him well, though I’m not sure whether I want to see him re-captured, which would be the safest thing for him, or whether I want to see him continue to make his way in Central Park, which is probably the most fulfilling way for him to live. But I appreciate him providing me with the opportunity to keep my marriage on track.

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl that has been loose in Central Park since Feb. 2.

Photo courtesy of Rhododendrites/Creative Commons

... is a photographer, writer, and semi-professional birdwatcher. He has lived in Key West for more than 25 years and may no longer be employable in the real world. He is also executive director of the Florida Keys Audubon Society.

MARK HEDDEN

KAREN NEWFIELD

... a reader and now a writer, has hundreds of book reviews at: www. readingandeating.com. For questions and comments, email karen@newfield. org.

AMAZING WOMEN YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

DISCOVERING THE POLIO VACCINE. FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY. CRACKING CODES. WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATES THESE RELATIVELY UNKNOWN AND UNSUNG HEROINES WHO CHANGED THE WORLD.

HER LOST WORDS

By Stephanie Marie Thornton

THE PIRATE’S WIFE

By Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos

THE WOMAN WITH THE CURE

By Lynn Cullen

In the 1940s and 1950s the world is battling the poliovirus. It spreads quickly, paralyzing and often killing its victims. Doctors don’t know how it spreads or enters the body. They don’t know how to cure or eradicate this disease. As summers go by with children locked in their homes, parents remain terrified. Teams of scientists across the globe research a multitude of theories. Dr. Dorothy Horstmann is a child of immigrants. She claws her way through medical school. Dorothy is one of a few women working in medicine and specifically epidemiology. Dorothy’s gentle bedside manner extends to everyone; never searching for fame or money, she only wants to help people. It takes years for scientists to finally recognize her research into poliovirus in the human bloodstream which led to the vaccine that was ultimately created. Dorothy works tirelessly, placing her personal life second to this horrific disease. The race for a cure overrode war, politics and notoriety. Dorothy is not a household name but this account of her contributions is simply incredible.

Mary

Wollstone

craft was a British writer, philosopher and one of the first advocates for women’s rights in the late 1700s. After leaving her childhood home and a violent alcoholic father, Mary found trust in a London publisher who introduced her work to the literary world, a door closed to women at the time. Experiencing poverty, pregnancy out of wedlock and Paris’ Reign of Terror, Wollstonecraft spent her short life championing education and equality for women. Mary Shelley, celebrated author of Frankenstein, never knew her mother but discovered guidance through her intelligent and often scandalous words. She grew up craving her father’s attention and fell in love with Percy Shelley, a poet who turned her world upside down. Mother and daughter express their thoughts and emotions through pen and paper at a time when women had virtually no voice or vote, when women were completely dependent on their male counterparts. Mary and Mary led extremely uncommon and unconventional lives that were criticized and dangerous but forced change within their conformist society. Narrated through their relationships and endeavors, we travel back in time to understand these trailblazing women on whose shoulders we stand.

Sarah Bradley was born in England circa 1665. After her mother died, Sarah helped raise her younger brothers while her seafaring father was mostly away. Maturing quickly due to her circumstance, Sarah was married to William Cox at 15 years old when the Bradleys arrived in the New York Colony. Becoming even more self-sufficient, Sarah possessed natural business acumen and quickly married a second time after the untimely demise of Cox. When John Oort passed away, Sarah met Captain William Kidd, a dashing and adventurous man with a notorious reputation that followed him the world over. As Sarah was already a beautiful and well-to-do woman with multiple businesses and land acquisitions – unheard of for women during this time – the two became something of a power couple. When the dashing captain made a privateering arrangement with duplicitous investors, their adventurous lives came crumbling down. Astounding account of a period in history most know little about, including horrendous conditions for women, dependency on the whims of a monarchy and a colony on the cusp of change. This author brings a rare story to life revealing shocking secrets, survival and ingenuity of a pirate’s wife.

WATCH TIP: The Codebreaker tells the fascinating true story of Elizabeth Smith Friedman, a groundbreaking cryptanalyst whose topsecret decoding work changed the outcome of wars and saved thousands of lives. Can be seen on PBS, Hoopla and Prime Video.

Artists and their favorite four-legged companions can enjoy an evening surrounded by nature, music, family and friends at Crane Point Museum and Nature Center’s “Paint & Sip with Paws” on Friday, March 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with Be The Show Events, attendees will enjoy libations as they learn to paint a new mangrove design on coconut canvases. Pets will even have the chance to create their own masterpieces with “peanut butter spreads” as they spread paint inside bags while enjoying a delicious treat. Water, lemonade and supplies are included, with beer and wine available for purchase. Tickets are $40 per person plus $5 per pet and are available by calling 951-9708116. BE THE SHOW EVENTS/Contributed

PAWS & PAINTINGS AT CRANE POINT

WATER FLOW RETURNS BUT CONSERVE MESSAGE REMAINS

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Keys residents and visitors are witnessing improved water pressure coming out of the faucets after several breaks earlier in the month caused a decrease in the flow.

While water tanks are at acceptable levels, the millions of gallons pumping through the aged pipes were reduced in hopes to avoid another major break.

Conserve water requests remain on message boards along U.S. 1 and on FKAA’s website following three transmission line breaks in the Upper Keys over a three-day span in early to mid-March. Greg Veliz, FKAA executive director, said the breaks weren’t an isolated incident — it’s the reality of a transmission line reaching the end of its life as more water flowed through the pipes ever since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veliz said some 25 million gallons of water were pumping through the pipes each day. FKAA has since reduced that to 22 million gallons a day.

“We believe that this will help us stay in operation far longer than running wide open (at 25 million gallons),” Veliz said.

The first break occurred across from Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina at MM 84.5 in Islamorada on March 8. Repair crews battled intense sun and heat to repair an aged pipe.

Just when that repair finished, a second break occurred roughly seven miles north at MM 92 in Tavernier. The break was worse than the first one, Veliz said, as northbound lanes of U.S. 1 were shut down to allow for the placement of new pipe. Crews worked some 30 hours between the first two breaks.

A third break occurred near the scene of the first break at MM 84.5 in Islamorada during the evening hours of March 11. That break was eventually fixed, but water pressure remained low, from Islamorada as far south as Key West.

Pipe breaks in the Upper Keys occurred as FKAA embarks on a 4-mile, $42-million water main replacement project from Tea Table Relief at MM 79 to Whale Harbor at MM 84. Excavation work is slated for April to place new 36-inch water main transmission alongside U.S. 1.

An aged 30-inch pipe that burst at MM 92 in Tavernier on March 9. FKAA/Contributed

KEYS WEEKLY

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

THE SCOREBOARD

CHARLES “CHUCK” JACOBSEN

THIS WEEK IN KEYS SPORTS

Senior, Coral Shores Lacrosse

Senior Charles Jacobsen, in his first season ever playing lacrosse, has been dominating faceoffs for the Hurricanes. He uses his strength and speed to outmaneuver opponents, and when those don’t work, he wills himself to be the best with pure grit.

“Not only is Chuck always showing great leadership, he is without a doubt going 100% on the practice field and in games,” said head coach Brian Lindback.

In his most recent performance, Jacobsen scored two of the ’Canes’ six goals, and he has amassed 28 ground balls so far this season. For his positive contributions to the Coral Shores lacrosse team in both gameplay and leadership, Chuck Jacobsen is the Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

“Chuck is the definition of a model player every coach wants on their roster.”

— Coral Shores head lacrosse coach Brian Lindback.

BREAKS MULTIPLE SCHOOL RECORDS

Keys track squads are heating up with record-breaking action just a month before district meets.

Marathon competed at the Monsignor Pace Open on March 13, picking up first-place finishes in three events. Sophomore distance phenom Vance Bursa completed a mile in 4:46 – 12 seconds in front of his nearest competitor. Junior Mason Buxton won the javelin with a monster throw of 130’4”, then took third on the track in the 800m run.

Kayesha Christian won the triple jump with a 30’6” leap and placed third in long jump. Senior Nicole Merryman’s second-place shot put throw set a new school record of 9.59m and teammates Justice Lee Isom and Janiya Pyfrom placed third in javelin and discus, respectively.

On the track, the girls 4x100m squad of Christian, Pyfrom, Abrianna Marshall and Daysi Williams took third at the meet, setting a new school record of 53.89s.

Key West spent Mar. 17 at the Calvary Christian Invitational, competing against the best in South Florida. The boys took fourth place out of a field of 14 and the girls came in second. Key West’s relay teams finished strong, with the girls’ 4x100m squad (Dazmine Jenkins, Valerie Thene, Nikole Tomita

notable accomplishments in field events were Anabel Portuondo’s thirdplace pole vault and Abigail Cowan’s third-place long jump. On the track, Perloff finished second in the 400m hurdles and third in the 100m hurdles, and Chadic placed second in the open 400m.

On the boys side, Suharevskis Niks-Davis won the pole vault with an 11’11.75” clear while Kevon Mills won the high jump. Josh Canterbury took third place in discus while teammate Colbin Hill ran the 3200m fast enough for a second-place medal. The Conchs’ 4x800m team of Hill, Lucas Montiel, William Forster and Logan Phillips and their 4x100m squad of Mills, Clerf Alexandre, Shane LaVallee and James Reynolds both finished third.

All three Keys teams will be gearing up for district races beginning April 19 for Key West and April 20 for Coral Shores and Marathon.

Dolphins, Conchs finishing strong at big meets with districts looming

Top: Marathon’s new school record 4x100m record holders Janiya Pyfrom, left, Abrianna Marshall, Kayesha Christian and Daysi Williams.

Above: Marathon junior Mason Buxton.

Left: Marathon thrower Nicole Merryman.

Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

CONCHS, DOLPHINS BASEBALL EACH ADD PAIR OF WINS

Hurricanes Unbeaten in District

Key West started their week at Columbus on March 14, losing to the Explorers 4-0. The smaller 4A Conchs amassed three hits against the 7A school with one each from Anden Rady, Gabe Williams and Anthony Lariz.

Eager to avenge the loss, the Conchs came out swinging three days later, scoring nine runs off nine hits for a win against the True North Classical Academy Titans. Matt Greenberg was perfect at the plate while pounding two doubles and a single for three hits on the night. Jose Perdigon slammed a triple and a base hit with two RBIs in the game. Williams, Caden Pichardo, Jack Haggard and Wyatt Kuhn accounted for the rest of the Conchs’ hits while Jacob Burnham, Marlin Takovich and Haggard teamed up on the mound in the 9-6 win.

The next night was more of the same. Anthony Lariz and Andris Barroso worked together to shut down True North, holding them to just four hits and one run in the 9-1 win. Greenberg and Kuhn had multiple hits on the night and Haggard, Rady, Perdigon, Barroso and Noah Burnham accounted for the other four hits of the game.

In Middle Keys action, Marathon played three games last week, starting off with Ransom Everglades on March 14. Ryan Yablon had two of the Dolphins’ four hits in the game. Tommy Norris added a double and Dylan Ziels had a base hit in the 4-0 loss.

The Fins fared better on the 17th, pounding Westwood 16-1. Bryan Broche struck out six over three innings and Ethan Sauders closed out the win for Marathon. Broche also added a hit and three RBIs to his stats. Mason Thornton and

Brody Reininger had two hits each and Yablon, Gavin Leal, Nolan O’Hare, Gabe Leal and Dylan Globe added one hit each. The final hit of Marathon’s 11 came from the bat of Tiago Rivero with a home run to right field.

The next morning, Miami High School made the long trip to the Middle Keys, losing 4-1 to Marathon. The Dolphins accumulated nine hits in the win with three from Gabe Leal, two from Norris and Yablon, and one each from Gavin Leal and Ziels. Ziels pitched 5-1/3 innings, striking out 12 of 23 batters faced, and Gavin Leal closed for the Fins, striking out two of six batters. Marathon will play Posnack away on Monday, March 27.

Coral Shores lost a pair of games last week to Riviera Prep and Schoolhouse Prep on March 15 and 16. The ’Canes managed a pair of hits against Riviera, both from senior Andy Ledesma. Against Schoolhouse Prep, the team combined for six hits, with three coming off the bat of Dylan Bloom. Zeke Myers, Hugh Connolly and Maykol Bonito-Lopez accounted for the rest. Coral Shores’ record now stands at 3-5 but in district action, they are still unbeaten.

ZIELS EARNS NATIONAL NOD

As of March 20, only four pitchers sit above Marathon junior Dylan Ziels on MaxPreps.com’s national strikeout leaderboard. Among qualified pitchers with at least eight games pitched, the ace’s 58 strikeouts through 23.2 innings of work rank fifth in the United States and first in the state of Florida. Ziels’ jawdropping 2.5 strikeouts per inning is the highest among the nationwide top-10 list.

“Marathon has not seen this type of pitching talent in many decades,” said head coach Joey Gonzalez. “23.2 innings with 58 Ks is insane to even process. Over 80% of his outs have come by way of a strikeout. It’s simply incredible for him to be sitting top five in the country.”

Key West Pitcher Andris Barroso. ELLA HALL/ Keys Weekly

Bryan Broche delivers a pitch in the second inning against Westwood Christian. TRACY McDONALD/Keys Weekly

BARRY GAUKEL/ Keys Weekly

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

MARATHON PITCHER ALLISON GARCIA BLANKS PACE WITH NO-HITTER

Whether it’s baseball or softball, Marathon High School pitchers have sent a clear message to opponents in 2023: Don’t challenge them on the mound.

Key West bats crank out 54 hits in fourwin Orange Bowl Fastpitch Classic

The Dolphins traveled to Pace on March 13, winning 13-0. Junior pitcher Allison Garcia faced 17 batters, striking out nine over five innings in the no-hitter. She then matched her defensive performance in the batter’s box, registering three of the Fins’ 14 hits with a pair of triples and a double. Maeve Merryman had three hits; Dani Perdomo, Elianys Roque and Madelyn Thornton were good for two each; and Elena Eubank and Daniella Gonzalez each had one hit in the game. The Lady Fins will square off against Pace again after spring break, this time at home on Tuesday, March 28, then head to Davie the following day to face the Titans of Nova High School.

The Lady Conchs made quite the splash at the Orange Bowl Fastpitch Classic, going undefeated at the tourney. On March 17, the Conchs faced the Hawks of Lake Minneola early in the day, winning 9-4. Nevaeh Arnold lasted five innings pitching for the Conchs and Chloe Gilday closed it out. Key West poured on 13 hits with three from Caroline Smith and two each from Alexandra Rodriguez and Madelyn Perusse. Isabella Franco, Tavyn Gage, Vera Rodger, Ty Cervantes and Scarlet Niles each registered one hit for Key West. Later in the day, the Conchs played Gulf Coast High School out of Naples. In that outing, Key West piled up a whop-

ping 15 hits. Gage had three while Franco, Cervantes and Dharma Murray each added two. The rest came from Caroline Smith, Rodriguez, Perusse, Rodger, Niles and Miesha Hernandez with one each in the 17-1 win.

The following day, the Conchs played Riverdale and Pompano Beach High School, adding two more wins to their record. Hernandez pitched six innings for the Conchs in the Riverdale game and added three hits, including a triple. Niles had three hits of her own, and Murray, Perusse and Cervantes each had two, while sophomore Alexa Condella fired off a home run in the fourth inning to make 18 total hits for Key West in the 13-3 win.

Later that afternoon, Pompano Beach met a similar fate in a 4-1 defeat as the Conchs extended their win streak to five games. Arnold went the full seven innings for Key West, allowing just three hits for the Tornadoes. Niles and Franco had two hits each for the Conchs and Murray, Smith, Condella and Gage added one each, making it eight for the game and a grand total of 54 for their weekend of play.

Key West will rest their bats for a week, then face Lake Wales for a pair of games Friday and Saturday, March 24 and 25.

Coral Shores split their games last week, winning 10-5 against LaSalle on March 13, then falling to Carrollton 11-1 two days later. The Lady ’Canes play again on Thursday, March 30 at Somerset South Homestead before hosting Marathon on Tuesday, April 4.

Marathon’s Allison Garcia pitched a no-hitter against Pace on March 13.

Photos by BARRY GAUKEL/Keys Weekly

Eighth grader Maeve Merryman had a trio of hits in Marathon’s 13-0 win against Pace.

POWDERPUFF THROWDOWN AT MHS

Juniors edge seniors for bragging rights

In a clash of the classes, Marathon’s juniors emerged victorious at Marathon High School’s 2023 powderpuff football game. Senior class sponsor Christina Gonzalez put on the flag football bragging rights contest to raise funds in support of the Class of 2023 and their needs for graduation and related events. With the help of junior class sponsor Kelley Cruz, the booster club, teachers, staff and the community, the semiannual matchup was a crowd-pleaser. The band played music, the girls played flag football, and the guys played dress up to cheer on their classmates, while three halftime routines by competitive cheerleading youngsters from the Stars of the Florida Keys added to the evening’s entertainment. In the end, the juniors defeated the seniors 25-19, but a night of fun and a positive balance for the outgoing seniors’ account made everyone a winner.

— Tracy McDonald

2. Senior cheerleaders Sean Hale, left, Dylan Globe, Harris Still, Evan Quintana, Allan Rodriguez, Frantz Noel, Aaron Dolton, Billy Martin and Angel Barrera pose with sixth grade teacher Jan Dorl (front and center), who made the guys a spirited sign.

3. Seniors in white jerseys and juniors in blue pose for a post-game photo.

4. A squad of Ryan Frederick, Mike Puto, Gerard Roussin, Marathon Mayor Luis Gonzalez and Chris Still man the grills.

1. Senior Abrianna Marshall (6) evades the junior defenders.

5. The MHS band cranks out the tunes for the evening.

Photos by Tracy McDonald and Alex Rickert. See more event photos at keysweekly. com.

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PIGEON KEY RESTORATIONS RECEIVE TWO AWARDS

KARL

1-year-old male mixed breed. Looking for: Someone to be my best buddy. Turnoffs: Not having a best buddy.

TAKE ME HOME

Earlier in March, the Historic Florida Keys Foundation presented two ceramic star awards to Monroe County Project Management for its preservation work of the Pigeon Key Honeymoon Cottage and commissary buildings. Hurricane Irma heavily damaged both buildings in 2017, knocking them off their foundations. This is Project Management’s sixth preservation award in three years.

“This was an incredibly complex and challenging project considering its size and numerous historic hurdles,” said Project Management Director Cary Knight. “Additionally, the project started during COVID, and all the construction materials had to be brought to the island via boat.”

Pigeon Key, located off Marathon and connected by the Old 7 Mile Bridge, is best known for its significant role in the construction and operation of the Florida East Coast Railway. Both wood-frame buildings were initially supposed to be temporary and are excellent examples of construction on the island during that time. The commissary building construction started in 1913, and the Honeymoon Cottage, directly adjacent to it, began in 1942.

Surviving historical materials, such as doors, windows, flooring

and porch components, were salvaged and reused wherever possible. When required, new material was selected to match the existing historical details, including the original profiles and dimensions. The work also involved removing or replacing non-historic features added over the years. More information about Pigeon Key is at pigeonkey.net.

— Contributed

at the Florida Keys SPCA

Keys Weekly is thrilled each week to showcase some “furever” friends that are ready, waiting and available for their perfect adoption “match” at the Florida Keys SPCA’s Marathon campus – complete with their best qualities, preferences and turnoffs to ensure the best fit.

From cats and dogs to Guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles and birds, the perfect addition to your family is waiting for you at one of the SPCA’s two campuses, in Key West and Marathon. The SPCA’s knowledgeable staff will help with advice and care tips while working to ensure a good fit between each pet and its people. The SPCA’s Golden Paw program also provides special assistance with vet bills and medications for special-needs and older animals that require a little extra TLC.

See all the animals waiting for a home at fkspca.org. To contact the Marathon campus, call 305-743-4800 or visit the campus at 10550 Aviation Blvd.

SUNSHINE

2.5-year-old male domestic shorthair. Looking for: I just love being in a home. Turnoffs: I just pretend to be shy.

PINKY

6-month-old female rabbit. Looking for: Will someone adopt me and Dot, please?

Turnoffs: When people say my red eyes are scary.

Adorable furry faces are waiting for families

Monroe County Project Management Director Cary Knight, left, and David Salay of Bender and Associates Architects at the Historic Preservation award ceremony held in Key West by the Historic Florida Keys Foundation. CONTRIBUTED

Before: The commissary building after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Storm surge knocked the building off its foundation, where it floated until it wedged against a tree.

After: The restored commissary on Pigeon Key.

JOLLY ROGER COMES UP BIG FOR HABITAT

On Feb. 18, residents of the Jolly Roger RV resort once again brought their ‘hearts’ to the line. Led by Lynne Kaminski, the group held its annual Valentine’s raffle, with Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys the recipient of their hard work and their giving spirit. The raffle raised $8,000. The resort and Habitat Middle Keys extend a sincere thanks to all the local businesses that supported the event and donated items for the raffle. Since 2019, the resort’s residents have raised a total of $27,344 in donations for Habitat Middle Keys. Pictured, from left: Ryan Elwell, Maureen Green, Pam Randolf, Deborah Hersh, Suzette Wilkins, Linda Almond, Debra Ceyrolles, Dan Green, Chris Todd Young, Kay Adams, David Schmeltz, Lynne Kaminski, Lynn King, Peggy Meeks, Sandy Leabu, Debra Sidlinger, Sally Royston, Chris Freede and Dianne Weitz.

Gwen White. CONTRIBUTED.

ALLEGED DRUG DEALER CHARGED WITH MURDER IN OVERDOSE DEATH

Alexis Joy Sather, 23, of Marathon, was arrested for murder on March 15 for allegedly selling fentanyl that resulted in the overdose of 53-yearold Amanda Roberts of Grassy Key.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, this is the third time in about the last 12 months the Sheriff’s Office has arrested a drug dealer in connection with a death resulting from their sale of narcotics.

Roberts was found dead at her residence on Sept. 2, 2022. Evidence of drug use was found at the scene. The Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be a fentanyl and diazepam overdose. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the ensuing investigation showed Sather sold Roberts the fentanyl that led to her death.

“I hope this message is very clear: Quit selling this poison in our community. It is ruining lives and killing people,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “If you sell these drugs and someone dies, we will pursue murder charges against you.”

The Sheriff’s Office Special Operations and Major Crimes Divisions as well as the State Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration worked together on this case. Sather was already in jail Wednesday on other drug-related charges when she was charged with Roberts’ death. According to the Sheriff’s Office records, the March 15 arrest is her third since September 2022.

According to MCSO and Monroe County court records, on Sept. 21, Sather was arrested for a conditional release violation as well as possession of 2.9 grams of fentanyl.

On Jan. 12, she was arrested again after deputies found 3.7 grams of heroin, $1,239 in cash, a digital scale, multiple baggies and razor blades and straws containing heroin residue during a traffic stop. Sather is being held at the Key West jail.

Not pictured: Judy Copeland, Brenda Moore, Susie Morter and

Alexis Sather was arrested for murder for her alleged role in the death of 53-year-old Amanda Roberts. MCSO/Contributed

TRUSTS • WILLS POWERS OF ATTORNEY LADYBIRD DEEDS

Whether you are a resident or a snowbird, it is important to have your assets properly titled in a way that will avoid those assets going through probate.

KATHLEEN HENDRICKSON

ATTORNEY AT LAW

MASTERS OF LAW, ESTATE PLANNING 5701 Overseas Hwy • 305 393 2598

YOUR ISLAND BOUTIQUE DESTINATION

10875 OVERSEAS HWY, OCEAN (TURN AT 107TH)

• Casual, Beach & Career Wear

• Certified Fair Trade & Designer Brands

• Sizes XS to 3X

• Family Swimwear

• Jewelry & Accessories

HOURS: MONDAY - SATURDAY 10AM - 6PM

COMMERCE CORNER

Established in 1982, overlooking the Gulf, you will find one of the hidden secrets and special places in the Florida Keys. This interval ownership resort offers weekly ownerships as well as rentals that are a competitively priced alternative to a hotel stay.

When you are at Marathon Key Beach Club, you are not returning to a hotel room, you are returning home. The well-appointed units are open and airy offering two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens, living area with a sleep sofa and a dining room that leads to a screened lanai. The property includes a BBQ area with tiki hut covered picnic tables.

We invite you to visit our website for more information and look forward to your visit!

The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has funding available to governmental entities and non-profit organizations for capital projects.

The project/facility must have the primary purpose of promoting tourism and must fall into one of the following categories:

Convention Center, Sports Stadium, Sports Arena, Coliseum, Auditorium, Aquarium, Museum, Zoological Park, Nature Center, Fishing Pier, Beach or Beach Park Facility, Channel, Estuary, or Lagoon, Public Facilities in Accordance with Conditions set forth in the Florida Statutes.

The deadline for receipt of applications is April 18, 2023 , and applications must be downloaded from Demandstar (www.monroecounty-fl.gov/bids).

For more information, please call the TDC Administrative Office at: 305-296-1552, and ask to speak with Ammie or Maxine.

4560 Overseas Highway, Marathon 305-743-6522

marathonkeybeachclub.com

TREASURED

PAST

MEETING JERRY WILKINSON WAS ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

Curious about the local history scene, I contacted several history groups. I set my fiction pen aside and started exploring the history of the Upper Keys, and wrote a little piece I called “Sketches of Islamorada” that I emailed to Jerry Wilkinson. I had never met him, but I attached the file, introduced myself and said something like, “Let me know what you think.”

Jerry responded positively to my query, and the rest, as they say, is history. He invited me to his house, as he was prone to do, and for much of the next decade, I visited Jerry’s Tavernier home, walked up the wooden steps, past the orchids, and knocked on his front door, sometimes weekly. He opened the door not just to his home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean but to his history, curiosity, passion and story after story about the Florida Keys.

BRAD BERTELLI

History can be complicated, and historians can be complicated, too. However, the more you invest in history and historians, the more you understand how the past shapes the present — at least for me.

since the second grade when Mrs. Permenter called me to her desk and said something that I do not remember but apparently it elicited an eye roll. While my back was turned and I was returning to my seat, she said, “Don’t you roll your eyes at me.”

Jerry invited me to join the board of his history group, the Historical Preservation Society of the Upper Keys. For a time, I served as its vice president (and even its president for one short week). We published two books together, and I introduced him to another who co-wrote several books with him, too. I once told him that I could not name a bridge after him, but I could work to name a library in his honor, and now the Jerry Wilkinson Research Library holds much of the fruit of his tremendous labors.

History can be complicated, especially local history that disagrees with long-espoused legends and lore. Some historians cave and pass on legends posing as historical facts, and others, like Jerry, tend to take more of a Joe Friday “just the facts” approach.

is an author, speaker, Florida Keys historian and Honorary Conch. His latest book, “Florida Keys History with Brad Bertelli, Volume 1,” shares fascinating glimpses into the rich and sometimes surprising histories of the Florida Keys.

Jerry Wilkinson, the historian who mentored me for a decade, passed away the other night. He was 94, led a pretty extraordinary life, and left a lasting impact on the history of this amazing island chain. Jerry helped to form my history foundation and stoked my desire to learn more about the local history. He became one of the primary reasons I work so hard to share these stories.

When I moved to the Florida Keys in 2001, I would have rolled my eyes if someone had told me that I would become a local historian. I have been a documented eye-roller

When I was still in school, even in graduate school, history was not something I was interested in learning about. I was an English major, both in my undergraduate and graduate years. The only thing I ever wanted to learn was how to write better stories. It was not until I finished school and moved to the Keys that I caught the history bug.

It had to have been something in the water because I moved to the Keys to finish my excellent island novel that remains unfinished, still. Lucky for me, I walked backwards into a publishing deal for my first book, “Snorkeling Florida” (University Press of Florida), and have had a hard time getting back to fiction ever since. While researching the book and snorkeling over the reefs here in the Keys, every dive captain, mate and local had a different story about how the reefs were named, and I became curious about the real stories. I started doing a little research in that area, too, and that was it; that was what cracked the door open and invited me to step inside, take the steps and wander down a fortuitous rabbit hole.

One of the things that we used to talk about was that all of the island chain’s historians were older, Tom, Irving, Dan, John and Jerry, and that no one outside of Key West was working to pick up the torches that those men carried. I’m happy he knew that his torch would continue to burn bright. At the end of every day, I am thankful for the day we met, and every subsequent day I knocked on his door, he opened it, and we shook hands.

The other day I got a call from a gentleman looking for information about the Long Key Fishing Camp. Jerry gave him my phone number and told him I was who he should call. I thought about shooting Jerry a text or giving him a call. It had been some time since we last talked, but I didn’t, and two days later, I found out that he had passed.

The Florida Keys are richer for his presence, as am I.

Local historians Jerry Wilkinson, left, and Brad Bertelli. CONTRIBUTED

Jerry Wilkinson walks into the research library at the Keys History & Discovery Center that was named in his honor. BRAD BERTELLI/Contributed

11AM to Close Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri

10AM to Close Sat/Sun

CLOSED Wednesday

HAPPY HOUR 1-4PM

$7 Menu

V

• Chicken wings, chicken livers and More!

• 32 beers on tap 1/2 off 2pm - 3pm

* $2 Pints of Yuengling and Bud Light!

BREAKFAST SERVED UNTIL 2PM

• Unique & interesting menu

• $3 Mimosas • $5 Breakfast Shots

LUNCH & DINNER

• Lobster Enchiladas

• Diver Speared Local Fish

• Prime Rib • Local Lobster

• Cook Your Own Catch

• Great Seafood Selections

SUSHI

724

BEST SUSHI & BLOODY MARY

• Toro • Lionfish • Poke • Hamachi collar

• Fresh Uni arrives on Thursday

32 BEERS ON TAP

SHRINERS GIVE THANKS TO DRIFTWOOD

WOKE UP TIME

THEY’RE COMING FOR YA…

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word “woke” as: “alert to injustice in society, especially racism.” How did this get to be a bad thing, something reviled by the extreme wing of one of our major political parties? How did being alert to societal and racial injustice become something that so many consider deplorable?

It was unimaginable not long ago that a Florida governor would ever pick a fight with Mickey Mouse. Yet Ron DeSantis strong-armed the Legislature into revoking Disney World’s independent special district status because Disney CEO Bob Chapek said he’d support the repeal of Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, often called “Don’t Say Gay.” DeSantis cited Disney’s “woke policies” as his justification for going after The Mouse. DeSantis has called Florida the state “where woke goes to die.”

Other states are also waging war against woke, migrants and LGBTQ issues. Tennessee’s drag show ban, put forth in order to “protect children,” has been called unconstitutional by notso-liberal outlets such as Bloomberg News. They maintain that a person’s dress and dancing are protected under the First Amendment. The Florida Legislature is considering a similar ban on drag activity — and it’s all to protect the children.

Ever notice how the right is always concerned about “indoctrination” of our children in schools? HB 999, one proposed remedy, will outright ban college courses “based on unproven, theoretical, or exploratory content.” Critics wonder if gravity, evolution and theoretical physics will fall under this bill, which also — I’m not making this up — bans majors in women’s studies or gender studies. But wait — there’s more! HB 999 would also ban “any programs or campus activities that espouse diversity, equity, or inclusion.” Really.

“Parental choice” was a key phrase during the last election cycle, and I’m sure it will be again. However, Florida’s hypocrisy shines right through those worn-out buzzwords. As posted in U.S. News & World Report, “The newest restriction (on gender treatments) is set to take effect Thursday in Florida, where that state’s Board of Medicine decided last month to ban the use of all puberty blockers, hormone therapies and/or surgeries for any patient under 18, whether or not those minors have parental approval for such care.”

It doesn’t matter to these legislators and political hacks that gender treatments are accepted medicine by the American Medical Association and physicians across the board. It also doesn’t matter that there are parents and children who have gone to hell and back and now have peace of mind and true happiness because of these often life-saving treatments.

So, Governor Ron — will you arrest and imprison parents who disobey this law and find treatments for their children? And will you weep for those teens who would rather take their own lives than live as someone they’re not?

Let’s do a quick recap: dressing in drag is bad, but scantily clad college cheerleaders are okay. Indoctrination is bad, unless it’s indoctrination of the “right” ideas and concepts. Parental choice is good, unless parents and children choose life-affirming treatments that Governor Ron doesn’t like.

Certainly, Governor Ron’s run for the White House plays directly into this. And the Legislature has a gift for him as well on this front. Florida has a “resign to run” law that states if an office-holder files to run for a different office, they must resign the current one. The Legislature will carve out an exception for Ron that will allow him to run for president and remain governor.

And if all this isn’t bad enough, DeSantis wants to put brakes on free speech by making it easier to file and win libel lawsuits, gutting the protections that reporters and sources have relied on for years. Whatever happened to that time-honored conservative principle of keeping the government out of people’s private lives?

I guess Florida is the state where that goes to die as well.

— John’s Perpetual Island Tour stops every Monday at Boondocks, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Key Colony Inn, and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. Check out John’s music anywhere you stream or download your music. Or point your browser to: johnbartus.hearnow.com

John Bartus is a singer-songwriter and the former mayor of Marathon.

JOHN BARTUS

The Marathon Shrine Club presents a plaque to Tony Piscetello of Driftwood Pizza for his generous support of the club and the Shriners Hospital for Children.

‘Tony and Driftwood Pizza have been there for us year after year,’ said Shrine Club president Larry Mills. ‘Tony, you are greatly appreciated.’ Pictured, from left, are Shriner Ken Duffy, Piscetello and Mills. CONTRIBUTED.

ALL YOU CAN EAT MAHI MAHI FISH FRY

EVERY

200 Years of Paradise.

Our Bicentennial kicks off with food, fun and a free concert featuring Nick Norman followed by trop-rock all-star Howard Livingston. We’ll then light up the skies with a Keys-centric drone show. This event was 200 years in the making. So come party like there’s no tomorrow.

Free Bicentennial Concert & Drone Show.

Saturday, March 25th | Truman Waterfront Park, Key West Gates open at 5 PM | fla-keys.com/keys200

ORGANIC CAFE & NATURAL MARKET

MARATHON WOMEN OF THE MOOSE GIVE HERON HOUSE A BOOST

On March 14, the Marathon Women of the Moose presented Marathon’s Heron House with a check to help with the house’s rebuild and expansion project. The Heron provides housing and supportive services for men and women with chronic mental illness. Pictured, from left, are Heron House administrator Clare Condra with Moose members Pam Gauthier, Holly Kepcha, Fran Hagemann and Barbara Paget. CONTRIBUTED

JAMES C. BARNHILL IV 1953-2023

James C. Barnhill IV (Jim) of Marathon, formerly of Kenosha, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 20, 2023 at the age of 69. He was born on May 10, 1953 in Kenosha as the third son of James and Lucille Barnhill.

Free legal services available March 31 in Key West Legal Services of the Florida Keys will offer free legal consultations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 31 at the Freeman Justice Center, 302 Fleming St., Key West. Attorneys will be available to help those who cannot afford legal services with issues such as landlord disputes, mortgage foreclosures, predatory lending, divorce and family law, disability benefits and other topics. The free, legal clinic is for Florida Keys residents who cannot afford a lawyer, so income and residency restrictions apply. Call 866-686-2760 to schedule a consultation, or register online at legalservicesmiami.org.

Florida Keys historian to lead Monroe County bicentennial talk

On Thursday, March 30 at 2 p.m. at the Marathon library, Corey Malcom, lead historian at the Florida Keys History Center, will present “Monroe 200,” an overview of the forces and events that have shaped Monroe County from its inception to today, in celebration of Monroe County’s 2023 bicentennial. Ranging from pirates to pineapples and land scams to lighthouses, the southernmost county has a past that is unlike anywhere else in the U.S. Malcom will share words and photographs as part of the library’s “Coffee, Cookies & Conversation” speaker series.

The talk is free and open to all.

America’s Boating Club to offer NASBLA boating safety course

America's Boating Club is offering a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators boating course

necessary to obtain the required Florida State Boater ID Card. The course qualifies participants for rate reductions from many insurance companies. America’s Boating Course teaches the basic skills of boat handling and seamanship, boating regulations, safety skills, aids to navigation, charting, weather, radio operation and the Florida boating regulations. Students will also learn to use flares, tie some knots, and learn facts about local waters.

This 1-1/2 day course will be offered on Saturday, April 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 2 from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost for a non-member is $70, or $85 for two students sharing materials. The U.S. Power Squadron members price is $30, or $45 for two members sharing materials. Class will be held at the America’s Boating Club building at 5205 College Road, Stock Island. Saturday will include a free lunch followed by a guest speaker from Florida Fish and Wildlife. To reserve a place in this class, please call Vince Melendy at 305-296-1126.

Watercolor Society concludes annual art exhibit

The Florida Keys Watercolor Society will close its 41st annual art exhibit in the main gallery of the Marathon Community Theater during the final weekend of the musical comedy “Desperate Measures.” Viewing is before curtain and during intermissions through Saturday, March 25. There are 51 entries by 17 members. All work is for sale, with 20% going to the theater as a gesture of artists supporting the arts. For artwork information, call Julie at 305-731-3046.

Orchestra, community choir to perform Easter cantatas

The Keys Chamber Orchestra and the Lower Keys Community Choir will be performing Easter cantatas and welcome all to join them. Concerts are scheduled for Tuesday, March 28 at the Big Pine United Methodist Church, 280 Key Deer Blvd, Big Pine Key; Wednesday, March 29 at Venture Out on Spanish Main Drive in Cudjoe Key; and Thursday, March 30 at San Pablo Catholic Church, 550 122nd St. Ocean, Marathon. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and last about an hour. The concerts are free, there is plenty of free parking and there will be a goodwill offering at each concert to help pay for next season’s music.

Marathon Friends of the Library seeks donated books for sale

The Marathon Friends of the Library are having a book sale at the Marathon Library on Friday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To donate books or volunteer, contact Bruce Rumage at 912-634-6277.

Come take a class at the Marathon library

The Marathon library has a wide variety of class offerings, ranging from photography to book clubs, robots, virtual reality and more. Scan the QR code here to see the schedule and get involved.

Jim attended St. Mark’s Catholic grade school and Tremper High School in Kenosha. Jim attended Gateway Technical College and graduated as an aviation mechanic. He was a proud veteran, having served in the United States Air Force in the early 1970s during the Vietnam War. Jim was an accomplished and skilled mechanic and carpenter. Although he could work on and build almost anything, he had a love for boats and airplanes.

Having traveled the Caribbean, Jim was drawn to the southernmost parts of Florida. In 1992 he moved to Marathon. His daughters would soon follow him and the Florida Keys became home. He worked in the marine business and soon opened South Seas Rigging in Marathon.

In 2012 he was able to fulfill his longtime dream in earning his pilot's license. He soon purchased a Cessna 172 four-seater airplane. He flew over the Florida Keys, and one time he flew all the way to his hometown of Kenosha to help build a tiki hut with his brothers and son.

Through his 35 years in the Keys, Jim has weathered many hurricanes, including Irma. During Irma, Jim stayed in Marathon and worked as a volunteer to rescue and restore before, during and after the storm.

Jim was married to Mary DuFault in 1976; they had three children, Maria, Christina and James V. He is survived by his daughters, Maria and Christina; grandchildren, Mia of Islamorada and James VI of Kenosha; longtime friend and partner Kimberly Coletta of Marathon; brothers, Thomas (Janis), Mark and John; and sister, Marianne (Michael) Zeihen, all from Kenosha.

Jim is preceded in death by his beloved son, James; sister, Nancy; brother, Michael; and his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Feb. 28 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Kenosha. A celebration of life for Jim will take place in Marathon on Sunday, April 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Dockside Boot Key Harbor.

BRIEFLY

OPEN MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District I Advisory Committee

(DAC I) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform.

The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.

us/j/87354296070

Meeting ID: 873 5429 6070

One tap mobile

+13052241968,,87354296070# US

+13017158592,,87354296070# US (Washington, D.C.)

Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@fla-keys.com, or by calling (305) 296-1552 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: March 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District II Advisory Committee (DAC II) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 6:00 P.M., via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform.

The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.

us/j/87081008430

Meeting ID: 870 8100 8430

One tap mobile

+13052241968,,87081008430# US

+13017158592,,87081008430# US (Washington DC)

Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@fla-keys.com, or by calling (305) 296-1552 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

March 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District III Advisory Committee (DAC III) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at 9:30 A.M., via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform. The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be:

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom. us/j/89723392622

Meeting ID: 897 2339 2622

One tap mobile

+13052241968,,89723392622# US

+16469313860,,89723392622# US

Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@fla-keys.com, or by calling (305) 296-1552 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

March 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District IV Advisory Committee (DAC IV) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 2:00 P.M., via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform.

The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be:

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom. us/j/88906165890

Meeting ID: 889 0616 5890

One tap mobile: +13052241968,,88906165890# US +13017158592,,88906165890# US

Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@fla-keys.com, or by calling (305) 296-1552 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish: March 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The District V Advisory Committee (DAC V) of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., via Communications Media Technology using a Zoom webinar platform.

The access points to view the meeting or for members of the public to provide public comment will be:

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.

us/j/89802653757

Meeting ID: 898 0265 3757

One tap mobile +13052241968,,89802653757# US +16469313860,,89802653757# US

Please contact Maxine Pacini or Ammie Machan to submit written information or for additional information by writing: MCTDC, 1201 White Street, Suite 102, Key West, FL 33040, by email at: Maxine@fla-keys.com, or by calling (305) 296-1552 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

All District Advisory Committee Meetings of the Tourist Development Council are open to the public and one or more TDC Members and/or County Commissioners may be in attendance.

ADA ASSISTANCE: If you are a person with a disability who needs special accommodations in order to participate in this proceeding, please contact the County Administrator’s Office, by phoning (305) 292-4441, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., no later than five (5) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting; if you are hearing or voice-impaired, call “711”.

Publish:

March 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 9:00 A.M., the Monroe County

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR MONROE COUNTY HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Electronic applications for Monroe County Fiscal Year 2024 are now available to eligible 501(c)3 organizations. The new application is available on the Monroe County website on the Human Services Advisory Board page at: www.monroecounty-fl.gov/318/Human-Services-Advisory-Board.

Applications must be submitted electronically at noon, Thursday, May 4, 2023. Applications are reviewed and funding recommendations are made by the Human Services Advisory Board, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. All HSAB meetings are open to the public. For questions contact Oksana Christow at Christow-Oksana@monroecounty-fl.gov or 305.292.4474

Purchasing Office will open sealed responses for the following:

FY 2024 Destination/Turn Key Event applications Bids must be submitted no later than 5:00P.M. June 6, 2023. Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3)(a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/bids. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted. The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl.gov, no later than 5:00P.M., on June 6, 2023. Your subject line on both emails must read as follows:

FY 2024 Destination/Turn Key Event applications 6-6-2023 Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED. Please note that the maximum file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl.gov so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 9:00 A.M., on June 7, 2023. You may call in by phone or internet using the following:

Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156

Meeting ID: 4509326156

One tap mobile:

+16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York)

+16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location:

+1 646 518 9805 (New York)

+1 669 900 6833 (San Jose)

Publish: March 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 3:00 P.M., the Monroe County Purchasing Office will receive and open sealed responses for the following:

Marathon Professional Center Building Roof Replacement Monroe County, Florida Pursuant to F.S. 50.0211(3)(a), all published competitive solicitation notices can be viewed at: www. floridapublicnotices.com, a searchable Statewide repository for all published legal notices. Requirements for submission and the selection criteria may be requested from DemandStar at www.demandstar.com OR www. monroecounty-fl.gov/bids. The Public Record is available upon request.

Monroe County Purchasing Department receives bids electronically. Please do not mail or attempt to deliver in person any sealed bids. Mailed/physically delivered bids/proposals/ responses WILL NOT be accepted. The Monroe County Purchasing Department hereby directs that bids be submitted via email to: OMB-BIDS@monroecounty-fl. gov, no later than 3:00P.M., on April 25, 2023. Please submit your confidential financial information in a SEPARATE EMAIL from your bid and required documents. Your subject line on both emails must read as follows:

Marathon Professional Center Building Roof Replacement 0425-2023 Files that do not contain this subject line WILL BE REJECTED.

Please note that the maximum file size that will be accepted by email is 25MB. Please plan accordingly to ensure that your bid is not rejected due to the file size. Should your bid documents exceed 25MB, in advance of the bid opening, please email: ombpurchasing@monroecounty-fl.gov so accommodations for delivery of your bid can be made prior to the bid opening. Please be advised that it is the bidder’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery of their bid and waiting until the bid opening to address or confirm your bid submission delivery will result in your bid being rejected. The bid opening for this solicitation will be held virtually, via the internet, at 3:00 P.M., on April 25, 2023. You may call in by phone or internet using the following:

Join Zoom Meeting https://mcbocc.zoom. us/j/4509326156 Meeting ID: 4509326156

One tap mobile: +16465189805,,4509326156# US (New York) +16699006833,,4509326156# US (San Jose)

Dial by your location: +1 646 518 9805 (New York) +1 669 900 6833 (San Jose)

Publish:

March 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2023-CP-25-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF THOMAS JOSEPH CONROY

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of THOMAS JOSEPH CONROY, deceased, whose date of death was January 26, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: March 23, 2023.

Personal Representative:

JAMES C. CONROY

121 Navajo St. Tavernier, FL 33070 Attorney for Personal

Representatives:

URBAN J. W. PATTERSON, ESQ.

Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com

Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@ yahoo.com Florida Bar No. 382035 Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A. P.O. Box 783 Islamorada, Florida 33036 Telephone: 305-664-5065

Publish: March 23 & 30, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 2023-CP-33-P

IN RE: ESTATE OF JOSEPH JAMES OLIVEROS

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of JOSEPH JAMES OLIVEROS, deceased, whose date of death was March 1, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS

AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: March 23, 2023.

Personal Representative: GEORGE VASTARDIS 8777 SW 134th St. Miami, FL 33176

Attorney for Personal

Representatives:

URBAN J. W. PATTERSON, ESQ.

Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com

Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@ yahoo.com

Florida Bar No. 382035

Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A. P.O. Box 783 Islamorada, Florida 33036

Telephone: 305-664-5065

Publish:

March 23 & 30, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

CASE NO.: 23-CP-21-P IN RE: THE ESTATE OF RICHARD CLAIRE MCCOMB, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS (summary administration)

TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS OR DEMANDS AGAINST THE ABOVE ESTATE:

You are hereby notified that an Order of Summary Administration has been entered in the Estate of Richard Claire McComb, deceased, File Number 23-CP-21-P, by the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Tavernier, Florida 33070; that the Decedent’s date of death was November 17, 2022; that the total value of the Estate is $5,000.00; and that the names and addresses of those to whom it has been assigned by such order are:

NAME

Sandra Sheffler

2594 S County Rd 7 Loveland, CO 80537

Patrick Buckley 3190 Hwy 95, Lot 1605

Bullhead City, AZ 86442

Jodi Candlin

Box 1 Silver Plume, CO 80476

Brandon Sheffler 512 Wildcat Parkway Wiggins, CO 80654

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE

NOTIFIED THAT:

All creditors of the Estate of the Decedent and persons having claims or demands against the Estate of the Decedent other than those for whom provision for full payment was made in the Order

of Summary Administration must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702. ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER APPLICABLE TIME PERIOD, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is March 23, 2023.

Person Giving Notice:

Sandra Sheffler

2594 S County Rd 7 Loveland, CO 80537

Attorney for Person Giving Notice:

Nicholas W. Mulick

E-mail Address: lisa@mulicklaw. com Florida Bar No. 0337757

Nicholas W. Mulick P.A. 91645 Overseas Highway Tavernier, Florida 33070 Publish:

March 23 & 30, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

I N THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-24-P

DIVISION: PLANTATION KEY IN RE: ESTATE OF DANIEL H. STEELE

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Daniel H. Steele, deceased, whose date of death was January 3, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88770 Overseas Highway, Ste 2, Plantation Key, Florida 33070.

The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: March 23, 2023.

Personal Representative: Rosemary A. Steele 131 Harbor Lane Tavernier, FL 33070 Attorney for Personal

Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050 Telephone: (305) 743-9428 Fax: (305) 743-8800 E-Mail: service@floridakeyslaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com

Publish:

March 23 & 30, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

The administration of the estate of FLORENCE MAY BOUSQUET, deceased, whose date of death was 9 December 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, the address of which is Freeman Justice Center, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS

AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN

THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION

733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: March 23, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Kenneth Bousquet

2407 Blue Water Bay Drive Katy, TX 77494

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Tom Woods, Esq. Florida Bar No.: 0525197 116 Porto Salvo Drive Islamorada, Florida 33036

Phone: 305.664.2200 Fax 2205

Primary Email: tom@ tomwoodslaw.com

Secondary Email: eserve@ tomwoodslaw.com

Publish:

March 23 & 30, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 23-CP-36-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MARK STEPHEN DEJONG, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of MARK STEPHEN DEJONG, deceased, whose date of death was January 7, 2023, Case: 23-CP-36-K, is pending in the Circuit Court, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, on whom a copy of this notice is served must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS

NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

The date of first publication of this Notice is: March 23, 2023.

Personal Representative:

MARIE CHRISTINE DEJONG

c/o Samuel J. Kaufman

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive

Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal Representative: Samuel J. Kaufman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0144304

Law Offices of Samuel J. Kaufman, P.A. 3130 Northside Drive

Key West, Florida 33040

Email designation for service: Service.Probate@samkaufmanlaw. com

Telephone: (305) 292-3926

Fax: (305) 295-7947

Publish:

March 23 & 30, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 16TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000077-K IN RE: ESTATE OF MARK DENNIS THOMPSON

Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the Estate of MARK DENNIS THOMPSON, Deceased, whose date of death was January 14, 2023; is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division; File No.: 23-CP-000077-K, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The name and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the Decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this Notice, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate, including unmatured, contingent, or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this Court WITHIN

THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS: MARCH 23, 2023.

Personal Representative: Cynthia Fleming Zachares 625 Overseas Highway, Apt. 202 Key West, Florida 33040

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Paul F. Berman, Esq. Berman & Berman, P.A. 9560 SW 107 Avenue, Suite 208

Miami, Florida 33176

Telephone (305) 274-0829

Facsimile (305) 274-7829 Florida Bar No. 156612 paul@bermanandbermanlaw.com

Publish:

March 23 & 30, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 23-CP-32-K IN RE: ESTATE OF FLORA A. VAUGHN

A/K/A DYNE B. VAUGHN Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Flora A. Vaughn a/k/a Dyne B. Vaughn, deceased, whose date of death was November 5, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal

NOW HIRING

Administrative Assistant III/ Receptionist

INCLUDES STATE OF FLORIDA BENEFITS PACKAGE

The 16th Judicial Circuit Court is seeking applicants for a full-time Administrative Assistant III/Receptionist in KEY WEST

This position is responsible for high level administrative, clerical and accounting/budget responsibilities in Court Administration within the Senior Judge/Magistrate and Finance divisions, as well as acting as the Administrative Assistant to the Trial Court Administrator and the receptionist for the Freeman Justice Center.

Salary is $43,867.09 annually, plus State of Florida benefits package. See complete job description at www.Keyscourts.net.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and State of Florida Application to Personnel@Keyscourts.net or Personnel, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. State of Florida applications can be found at www.Keyscourts.net.

The successful applicant will be required to pass a complete background check. Applications are being accepted until position is filled. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation. EOE. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application/selection process, please notify us in at advance at 305-292-3423; to make call through the Florida Relay Center, you can dial 7-1-1.

representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: March 16, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Michael S. Vaughn 29520 Cupon Rd. Big Pine Key, Florida 33043

Attorney for Personal

Representative:

Robert K. Miller, Esq.

Attorney

Florida Bar Number: 359173

Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA 10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938 Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-9428

Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: service@floridakeyslaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com

Publish:

March 16 & 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

LEGAL NOTICES

PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 23-CP-45-K IN RE: ESTATE OF PATRICIA A. IMMENDORF-GEORGE A/K/A PATTI A. GEORGE Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Patricia A. Immendorf-George a/k/a Patti A. George, deceased, whose date of death was January 15, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is: March 16, 2023.

Personal Representative: Victoria A. Lynch 16623 35th Place Wellborn, Florida 32094

Attorney for Personal

Representative: Robert K. Miller, Esq. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 359173 Cunningham Miller Rhyne PA

NOW HIRING

IT Support Analyst

INCLUDES MONROE COUNTY BENEFITS PACKAGE

The 16th Judicial Circuit Court is seeking applicants for a full-time IT Support Analyst in the FLORIDA KEYS.

The IT Support Analyst will provide front-line primary technical support to end users on various technical issues and problems relating to hardware, software, and peripherals. They will also be responsible for responding to, documenting, and resolving service requests in a timely manner. The IT Support Analyst must have excellent problem-solving skills to diagnose, evaluate and resolve complex problem situations.

Salary is $45,000 – $52,000 annually, depending on experience, plus Monroe County benefit package. See complete job description at www.Keyscourts.net.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and State of Florida Application to Personnel@ Keyscourts.net or Personnel, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. State of Florida applications can be found at www.Keyscourts.net.

The successful applicant will be required to pass a complete background check. Applications are being accepted until position is filled. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation. EOE. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application/ selection process, please notify us in at advance at 305-292-3423; to make call through the Florida Relay Center, you can dial 7-1-1.

LEGAL NOTICES

10075 Overseas Hwy PO Box 500938

Marathon, FL 33050

Telephone: (305) 743-9428

Fax: (305) 743-8800

E-Mail: service@floridakeyslaw. com

Secondary E-Mail: rmiller@ floridakeyslaw.com

Publish: March 16 & 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000063-K IN RE: THE ESTATE OF GENO J POPOLI, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of GENO J POPOLI, deceased, whose date of death was February 21, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division: File Number 23-CP-000063-K the address of which is 500 Whitehead St., Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative(s) and the personal representative(s)’ attorney is set forth below. The Fiduciary lawyerclient privilege in s. 90.5021 FLA.

STAT. applies with respect to the personal representative and any attorney employed by the personal representative. All creditors of the decedent and other persons, who have claims or demands against decedent’s estate, including unmature, contingent or unliquidated claims, and who have been served a copy of this notice, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THE LATER OF THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have

claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with this court WITHIN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT SO FILED WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE IS MARCH 16, 2023.

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE:

ALTOVISE E. MOORE 414 Julia Street

Key West, Florida 33040 ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE:

Nakeitha Sweeting Hodrick, Esq. FBN: 0079847 Sweeting Law & Mediation, P.A. 20451 NW 2nd Avenue, Suite 1125 Miami, Florida 33169 786.279.4841

Publish:

March 16 & 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000038-K

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF GLORIA L. WINDUS, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of GLORIA L. WINDUS, deceased, whose date of death was October 7, 2022; File Number 23-CP000038-K, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representatives and the personal representatives’ attorney are set forth below. All creditors of Decedent and other persons having claims or

NOW HIRING

Network Administrator

INCLUDES MONROE COUNTY BENEFITS PACKAGE

The 16th Judicial Circuit Court is seeking applicants for a full-time IT Support Analyst in the FLORIDA KEYS.

The Network Administrator is primarily responsible for maintenance and support of all network and server infrastructure services including LAN, firewalls, servers, wireless and associated network management, and monitoring platforms. This includes enterprise network planning, high-level troubleshooting, security, and network system administration.

Salary is $65,000 – $72,000 annually, depending on experience, plus Monroe County benefit package. See complete job description at www.Keyscourts.net.

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and State of Florida Application to Personnel@Keyscourts.net or Personnel, 302 Fleming Street, Key West, Florida 33040. State of Florida applications can be found at www.Keyscourts.net.

The successful applicant will be required to pass a complete background check. Applications are being accepted until position is filled. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation. EOE. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application/selection process, please notify us in at advance at 305-292-3423; to make call through the Florida Relay Center, you can dial 7-1-1.

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

demands against Decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is March 16, 2023.

Signed on this 6th day of March, 2023.

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES:

VALERIE L. TRUDEAU

263 Lake Street

Saranac Lake, New York 12983

VICTORIA L. RUSSO

2926 W. Balmoral Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60625

ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES:

Joshua T. Keleske, Esq.

Florida Bar No. 0548472

Joshua T. Keleske, P.L.

3333 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Suite 204 Tampa, Florida 33609

Telephone: (813) 254-0044

Email: jkeleske@trustedcounselors.

com

Publish: March 16 & 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 22-CP-000086-M

IN RE: ESTATE OF KIMBERLY FARIS SCHMIDT, aka KIMBERLY SCHMIDT WEAVER Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of KIMBERLY FARIS SCHMIDT, also known as KIMBERLY SCHMIDT WEAVER, deceased, whose date of death was July 28, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 3117 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: March 16, 2023.

Signed on this 6th day of March, 2023.

Personal Representative:

SAMANTHA L. WEAVER

2313 Calle Lobina San Clemente, CA 92673

Attorney for Personal Representative:

Steven A. Sciarretta, Esquire Florida Bar No. 542695

ONSITE JOB FAIR

TUESDAY, MARCH 28TH

OPENINGS AVAILABLE

- Housekeepers

- Cooks

- Food Crew

- Mechanics

- Dietitians

- Patient Advocates

- Med Techs

- Imaging Techs

- Registered Nurses

- RN Supv/Mgrs

- Physical Therapists

- +More!

For details and to RSVP, visit: www.baptisthires.com

STEVEN A. SCIARRETTA, P.A.

2799 NW Boca Raton Blvd., Suite 203 Boca Raton, FL 33431

Telephone: 561-368-7978

E-mail: steve@saslaw.net

Secondary E-Mail: susan@saslaw.

net

Publish: March 16 & 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA

PROBATE DIVISION

FILE NO.: 23-CP-000046-K

IN RE: ESTATE OF SARA ELLEN MARIE VITA, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of Sara Ellen Marie Vita, deceased, whose date of death was December 24, 2022, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER

BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: March 16, 2023.

Personal Representative:

Donna Marie Vita 3 Foster Lane Norwalk, CT 06853 Attorney for Personal Representative: Dawn Ellis, Esq., Dawn@MyFloridaProbate.com Florida Bar Number: 091979 My Florida Probate, P.A. P.O. Box 952 Floral City, FL 34436-0952 (352) 726-5444

Publish: March 16 & 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION FILE NO.: 2023-CP-19-P IN RE: ESTATE OF WILLIAM EDWIN ARMSTRONG Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The administration of the estate of WILLIAM EDWIN ARMSTRONG, deceased, whose date of death was January 17, 2023, is pending in the Circuit Court for Monroe County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 88820 Overseas Highway, Plantation Key, FL 33070. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS

IS HIRING!

SUPPORTED LIVING COACH FULL TIME

Responsibilities include management of developmentally disabled clients in independent living environments, management of office and In Home Support staff. Must be available for some evenings and weekends. Bachelor’s degree in related field or year for year experience working with developmentally disabled clients in lieu of degree. Salary commensurate with experience.

Background screening, current FL driver’s license, and references required. Apply at the MARC office, 1401 Seminary Street, Key West - EOE

IS HIRING!

3

This position is available at our Adult Day program. This position provides direct care service and support to our clients in the day program. This position requires the minimum of high school completion or GED. English language, speaking and writing, proficiency is a must. FL Driver’s license w/clean driving record, pre-employment training online and in person. Ability to pass a Level II background screening and references. EOE Apply at 1401 Seminary St., Key West or online at marchouse.org. For more information, please contact hr@marchouse.org or phone: 305-294-9526 *32.

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.

All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.

ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN

THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA PROBATE CODE WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.

The date of first publication of this notice is: March 16, 2023.

Personal Representative: KSENIA LEONTEVA 82260 Overseas Highway Islamorada, FL 33036 Attorney for Personal Representatives: URBAN J. W. PATTERSON, ESQ. Email: ujwplaw@gmail.com

Secondary Email: ujwplawfirm@ yahoo.com Florida Bar No. 382035 Urban J. W. Patterson, P.A. P.O. Box 783 Islamorada, Florida 33036 Telephone: 305-664-5065

Publish: March 16 & 23, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 23-DR-44-K DIVISION: FAMILY IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF: HADAR MOSHE, Petitioner, and, CLAUDIA GALINDO, Respondent.

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: CLAUDIA GALINDO

LAST KNOWN ADDRESS: 4320 SW 5TH STREET, MIAMI, FL 33134

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on HADAR MOSHE, whose address is 3839 DUCK AVENUE, KEY WEST, FL 33040 on or before April 17, 2023, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 500 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040, before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: NONE

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address. (You may file Designation of Current Mailing and E-Mail Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed or e-mailed to the address(es) on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida

Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated: March 13, 2023

Kevin Madok, CPA Clerk of the Circuit Court Monroe County, Florida

By: Marissa Lockwood

Deputy Clerk

Publish: March 16, 23, 30 and April 6, 2023

The Weekly Newspapers

BUSY NONPROFIT HAS NEED FOR BOTH A WOMEN & FAMILY PROGRAM MANAGER AND A MEN’S PROGRAM MANAGER

These are full-time salary positions. Great benefits. Must have excellent communication, organizational, and computer skills. Must be compassionate and professional. Bachelor’s degree, field experience, and Spanish is a plus. Drug-free workplace, EOE. Please send resume and cover letter to sholt@fkoc.org

MAINTENANCE POSITION WITH BUSY NONPROFIT

FT with benefits. Long-term position w/room for growth. Valid DL required. Must have maintenance or related experience, computer skills and relate well with people. Very physical position, heavy lifting, heat, etc.

Drug-free workplace, EOE. Please send resume and cover letter to sholt@fkoc.org. No phone calls.

ALL YEARS!

Cars - Vans - TrucksRunning or Not. $CASH$ 305-332-0483

AUTOS FOR SALE

2005 Toyota Sienna - Runs Great,A/C,Good Work Truck,located in Marathon. $1000 obo (339) 832-0485

BOATS FOR SALE

8 Foot West Marine Inflatable Dingy, all accessories included. Located in Marathon. $200 (339) 832-0485

EMPLOYMENT

Groundskeeper/ Maintenance person, KCB, Sea Isle Condominium, 20 - 40 hrs. per week, $21 per hr., apply by e-mail to HardingThomasL@aol.com, text or call 734-476-0531.

Marathon Yacht Club is hiring a part-time dishwasher. $14/hr, Private Club & Friendly Atmosphere, Flexible Afternoon/Evening Hours Tuesday – Saturday. Call 305-743-6739 to schedule an interview.

SS Wreck and Galley Grill on Grassy Key is looking for line cooks, full or part time. Please call Nicole at 305433-0515, or email nicole@ themoongroupfl.com.

Coast to Coast Pizza Company in Marathon is looking for front of the house cashier, part time. Will train, but should be outgoing with leadership traits and wellorganized, self-motivated, with a passion for customer service. Salary commensurate with experience and includes tips and 401k. Please call Nicole at 305-433-0515, or email nicole@themoongroupfl.com.

Frank's Grill in Marathon now hiring servers and bussers. Evening and daytime. Call Joanna at 305-731-8346

Boat rental company in Marathon needs an Outboard Mechanic. Some general marina work, and boat experience a plus. Call 305-481-7006

San Pedro Church in Tavernier needs a Music Director (Part Time). Should share the Catholic faith, have knowledge of the Liturgy and Music. Email a Resume to the Pastor at ferrybrutus@gmail.com

City of Marathon Current Job Openings: Customer Service Rep./Admin. Asst., WW Operator/Controls Trainee, and Right of Way Technician. Full Benefits. EOE

Please see City website for details www.ci.marathon.fl.us

Immediate openings for experienced plumbers and helpers (with or without experience - we will train the right person). Must have a valid driver's license & clean driving record. Please apply in person at 10700 5th Avenue Gulf, Marathon or email resume to: eerpinc@gmail.com

The Cabana Club, an ocean front private swim club is seeking a Customer-Service Oriented Server for the pool deck, beach and/or bar lounge. Open year round, 10am-7pm daily. Small friendly staff. Above average hourly wage plus tips. Apply in person at 425 E. Ocean Dr. Key Colony Beach or call 404-219-3359 and ask for Dave.

EMPLOYMENT HOUSING FOR RENT

The Housing Authority of the City of Key West now hiring the following positions: Maintenance Mechanic (Maintenance Worker), Med Tech, Resident Activities Coordinator, Grounds Caretaker, and HCV Specialist (No experience necessary. The KWHA will provide training for this position to the right candidate). To apply, please contact Human Resources at: martinezm@kwha.org or 305-296-5621. Applications are available at the Administrative Office located at 1400 Kennedy Dr., Key West, FL 33040 or online at www.kwha.org - EOE & Drug Free Work Place. This opportunity is covered under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968.

NOW HIRING: Sweet Savannah's is now hiring for multiple positions: Cashier - must be 16 yrs or older, Fulltime Baker & Part-time Baker's Assistant. Stop by for an application at 8919 Overseas Highway, Marathon or email: info@sweetsavannahs.com

Place your Help Wanted ad here for $25.00/week for up to 5 lines of copy. Call 305-7430844 today.

HOBBIES/COLLECT.

PRIVATE COLLECTOR WANTS Rolex, Dive Watches and Pilot Watches. Old Model Military Clocks & Watches. Call 305-743-4578

Key Largo - like new, very nice ground floor private room and bathroom. Marble tile flooring. Furnished. Private community. Pet restrictions. $1,950/month. 786 -258 -3127

LOT FOR SALE

Nice Lot with Building Permit For Sale, 50' X 100' Built up with 3 ft. of fill. $249K 768 82nd Street, Marathon, FL. Call 305-905-2838

RV FOR SALE

RV FOR SALE - 2017 Thor Citation RV, 24ft Mercedes V6 Diesel, 2 slides, Cummings Diesel Generator, Low Mileage, Many Upgrades, Call Richard

Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club on Grassy Key now hiring Housemen, Housekeepers, Kitchen Staff & Front Desk Agent.

The Lagoon Grassy Key Adventure Park & Bongo’s Botanical Beer Garden on Grassy Key now hiring Watersports Guide, Kitchen Staff & Retail Manager.

Email: hiring@grassyflats.com

MAINTENANCE WORKER 4

Monroe County BOCC is looking for applicants for a Maintenance Worker 4 within our Facilities Maintenance department. Locations include Marathon & the Middle Keys areas. The primary function of this position is to perform all related repairs and/or maintenance to county facilities and grounds. High School Diploma or GED, 5 years minimum of prior related work experience in electrical, plumbing or carpentry & a valid FL driver’s license required. $44,308.30 to $68,677.88 annually (depending on experience).

APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE AT WWW.MONROECOUNTY-FL.GOV. For questions, please contact us at careers@monroecounty-fl.gov or 305-292-4557. Veteran’s Preference Available; E.O.E

NOW HIRING CONSTRUCTION ADMIN

• Full time.

• Flexible start and end times.

• Must have excellent database and Quickbooks knowledge.

• Marathon location.

Email resume to bhager@royalcompletehome.com

NOW HIRING Program Coordinator

Full time position, starting April 3. Responsible for program development, coordinating presentations, media relations and traveling exhibits. Must have excellent writing and public speaking skills. Knowledge of graphic design programs helpful. $45K annual salary.

Keys History & Discovery Center 82100 Overseas Hwy. Located on the property of the Islander Resort. For more information, email vivian@keysdiscovery.com

NOW HIRING

DIVE INSTRUCTOR

TOUCH TANK ATTENDANT GUEST SERVICES

FULL OR PART-TIME LAWN MAINTENANCE

Please contact April at 305.407.3262 or april@floridakeysaquariumencounters.com for more information.

11710 OVERSEAS HWY, MARATHON

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Transmission & Distribution Department:

SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on quali cations and experience: $38.43/hr. - $43.04/hr. For more information, including job duties and required quali cations, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being lled.

Keys Energy Services, in Key West, Florida, is accepting applications for the following position in its Executive Department:

TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION

T&D ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Starting pay rate for this position, depending on qualifications and experience: $103,172/annually$106,061/annually.

For more information, including job duties and required qualifications, and to apply for the job, please visit their website at www.KeysEnergy.com.

KEYS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

KEYS promotes a Drug-Free Workplace.

Certain service members, veterans, the spouses and family members of service members and veterans, receive preference and priority in employment, and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

Key Largo, seeking engaging, dependable, experienced person(s) to work with the team at Mile Marker 97.5, full-time opportunities available, some weekend and evening hours. Opportunities for advancement, great benefits, competitive salary and flexible hours. Please stop by and fill out application or fax resume to 305-852-9639.

305-363-8021

WASTEWATER PUMP TECHNICIAN

LOCATION:

MIDDLE KEYS

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for a Wastewater Pump Technician to perform specialized troubleshooting, maintenance, repair and rebuilding of pumps utilized in the Authority's wastewater collection systems. MUST HAVE: high school diploma or GED; supplemented by training in pipefi ing, mechanical, pumps, electrical troubleshooting; supplemented by five (5) years previous experience and/or training that includes pipefi ing, mechanical and pump experience. Must possess a CDL Class A license. Competitive benefits including Florida Retirement System. Salary: $59,507.15 - $76,883.40. DOQ.

Apply online at www. aa.com/employment EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW

JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN

LOCATION: MIDDLE KEYS

MUST HAVE an active Journeyman Electrician License. Duties: Install, inspect, test, repair and maintain all new and existing generators, motors, transformers, motor controllers, and associated equipment throughout our system, with base location in the middle keys. Minimum qualifications: Journeyman’s License, emphasis on electronics, industrial electrical, pneumatics, controls, building automation, fire alarm and HVAC systems, load calculations, conduit requirements, thorough knowledge of NEC requirements. Must be able to operate and use computers with various so ware applications, including Microso O ce Suite. Must have a valid Florida driver’s license. Must be able to communicate and comprehend the English language. Competitive benefit package including Florida Retirement System. $62,155.44-$98,454.90. DOQ

Apply online at www. aa.com/employment

EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OPERATOR

LOCATION: MARATHON

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is looking for a Distribution System Operator to perform semi-skilled work, involving the repair and maintenance of FKAA water distribution and transmission systems. Qualifications: H.S. diploma or GED; supplemented by 1 yr. previous experience and/or training as a pipefi er with a public utility, construction or plumbing company preferred. Must have a High School; Diploma or GED and valid Florida Driver’s License. Must obtain a FDEP Level 3 license w/in 18 mos. of hire date. Salary: $48,909.19. Excellent benefits.

Apply online at www. aa.com/employment EEO, VPE, ADA, DFW

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER IS HIRING

Dolphin Research Center has Full-Time/Part-Time, Permanent/Temporary Gift Shop positions that involve direct contact with our visitors & is another opportunity to ensure they leave DRC with a happy & positive experience. Some of the duties involve; being familiar with all merchandise in the selling area, suggest specific merchandise & offer product advise. Walk around the grounds and see dolphins every day.

Job description available at www.dolphins.org. E-mail your resume and a DRC application to drc-hr@dolphins.org. EOE

58901 O/S Hwy - Grassy Key, FL Teaching... Learning... Caring

HIRING

• FULL TIME PROJECT MANAGER

•

•

• ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

Must have valid Driver’s License & Transportation

Location: Upper Keys Send resume to: admin@cbtconstruct.com

EXPERIENCED

ELECTRICIANS AND HELPERS NEEDED

Experience is required. Must have a valid driver’s license. We offer 401K, medical insurance, paid holidays and paid vacation. Positions available in Key West and Marathon. 305-292-3369

D’Asign Source is seeking the following professionals. Overtime and benefits are available. For full details & additional openings, please visit DAsignSource.com/careers

Architects

We have openings for Intern Architects, Emerging Professionals, and Production Architects. Experience in High End Residential design is a plus.

Carpenter

Framing & drywall repairs, kitchen & bathroom remodeling, etc.

Interior Designer

Apply knowledge & creative skills to projects at our high-end design center. Must possess an interior design background and history of achievement in quality projects.

Working Warehouse Manager

Hiring machine operators, deckhands, general labor, mechanics & welders in the Upper Keys. 40/hrs per week. Monday-Friday. 305-440-3304

Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge in Islamorada is getting ready for a GRAND OPENING and we're looking to hire for all restaurant positions!

Open interviews Monday – Friday from 11am to 4pm at Oceanside Safari. Located at MM 73.5 right on the ocean at Caloosa Cove Marina, 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.

HIRING: FOH: HOSTS, SERVERS, BARTENDERS, BUSSERS, RUNNERS. BOH: LINE COOKS, PREP COOKS, DISHWASHERS.

Great pay, benefits and perks. We offer a stable 40 hrs-per-week to our hourly employees, and more hours if you want! Part-time positions available if you are looking for a second job, or after-school job.

No Inglés. No Problema. Lo importante es que trabajes bien. Pa gen angle. Pa gen pwoblèm. Tout sa ki enpòtan se ke ou travay byen.

We are re-opening as a brand new full-service restaurant & bar, with a full kitchen with all brand new equipment, a beautiful bar, indoor and outdoor seating, and a beachfront lounge on our own private beach. We’re currently in the final stages of renovation of the building and property, and we’re planning on opening in March. We need to start assembling and training our team now! COME JOIN US!

**We are an Equal Opportunity Employer** Oceanside Safari Restaurant & Lounge, 786-626-6124 73814 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036

Tired of your

boring job?

Looking for an exciting new challenge?

If so, we are offering an opportunity to join our team in a very fast paced, exciting and dynamic role that is structured with details varying on each project.

Dynasty Marine Associates, Inc. www.dynastymarine.net

Located in the Florida Keys, is a highly-respected supplier of Caribbean marine life to public aquariums and zoos throughout the world

OFFICE ASSISTANT FULLTIME

Duties to include invoice and inventory entry, booking airline shipments, creating and filing paperwork for international shipments, scheduling inspections needed for international shipments, customer communication and tracking, creating and maintaining customer accounts and some customer service. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. This position requires high attention to detail and the ability to multitask. Compensation will be dependent on experience with performance-based incentive program.

Benefits package including vacation, sick days, holidays and 401K PSP retirement plan. Please send cover letter and resume to sales@dynastymarine.net for consideration. No phone calls please.

Benefits